ASHLAND – Youth philanthropy was the focus Tuesday evening as the Ashland County Community Foundation recognized a group of young people who are already making a difference in their community.
“Have you ever walked into a room and just been in awe? That’s how I feel tonight about this group of special young people who are gathered here,” said James Cutright, executive director of the ACCF.
The ACCF recognized its IMPACT Youth Council and its 2016 Young “Difference-Makers” during a dinner Tuesday night at Ashland University’s John C. Myers Convocation Center.
Cutright explained that he was inspired to create the IMPACT Youth Council last year after hearing about similar groups during a seminar at Kenyon College about youth philanthropy. He brought the idea to the ACCF board who approved his vision, setting the stage for the creation of the IMPACT Youth Council. IMPACT stands for Imagine Making Philanthropy an Ashland County Tradition.
“It’s about teaching young people responsibility, especially fiscal responsibility, and developing a new generation of leaders,” Cutright said.
Seventeen high school students from Mapleton, Hillsdale and Ashland High Schools were chosen to take part in the inaugural edition of the IMPACT Youth Council. The ACCF gave the IMPACT Youth Council $8,000 and the responsibility for deciding how to disperse those funds to Ashland County organizations who assist youth.
Ginny Telego, director of the IMPACT Youth Council, explained that the young people were tasked with reviewing the 21 applications that were received and scoring each application, based on how well the application met the vision and goal of the council. After the initial 21 applications were narrowed down to 12, the council members interviewed representatives from the organizations before deciding which groups would receive funds.
Telego said many people have a negative opinion of young people today, but she encouraged everyone to look beyond the stereotypes and see the amazing young people who are making a difference.
“Being able to watch this group develop has solidified for me that all is not lost,” Telego said.
Members of the IMPACT Youth Council are Nassem Al-Mehairi, Natalee Blackford, Mark Gorsuch, Elizabeth Hohler, Alexis Hopkins, Joshua Jerabek, Jonah Moretz, Veronica Mounts, Mikayla Myers, Hannah Purdy, Alexa Rakosky, Daniel Ritchey, Amberlynn Schuttera, Isabella Simpson, Hannah Strickling, Andrew Stump and Will Yeater.
Ten Ashland County organizations received grants from the Youth Council, including Appleseed Community Mental Health Center, Ashland Center for Nonviolence, Ashland City Schools, Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center, Ashland Parenting Plus, Camp Nuhop, Hillsdale FFA Chapter, Hospice of North Central Ohio and The Salvation Army/Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center.
The money given to those organizations will benefit a variety of projects ranging from equine therapy to fighting human trafficking and a child bereavement camp.
Jerry Strausbaugh, executive director of the Appleseed Mental Health Center, defined the real difference that the $8,000 in grants given by the IMPACT Youth Council will make.
“I want to say thank you from that abused little girl who is going to get to have equine therapy because of this grant,” Strausbaugh said. “This money is going to help fight human trafficking. Yes, you are giving $8,000 but the difference that you are making with these grants goes far beyond just the money.”
Formerly known as Kids Who Care, the ACCF rebranded their awards recognizing young people as the Young “Difference-Makers.” This year’s winners included 13 young people who worked on seven different projects. Winners included Megan Alsop, Liam Harper, Cohan Robinson, Garrett Sweet, Ashley Kalman, Lauren Myers, Madison Tanner, Lucy Mancha, Sydney Polen, Jenna Purvis, Katelyn Timmons, Paige Timmons and Geneva Timmons.
The projects covered a range of inspirational stories that showcased how young people can make a difference.
The Timmons sisters were nominated after they found $20 and turned that $20 into a much larger donation. Originally, the sisters planned to just donate the $20 before deciding to instead spending the money to purchase baking supplies to make four dozen cupcakes for a bake sale. After neighbors and friends heard about their project, that four dozen cupcakes turned into 10 dozen cupcakes. Eventually, the sisters had $400 to donate to Ashland Care Center.
Jenna Purvis, a senior at Crestview High School, organized a project at her school to help fight hunger in the community, an effort that resulted in 50,000 meals being donated.
Black River Middle School students Ashley Kalman, Lauren Myers and Madison Tanner organized a school dance to raise money for a bulletproof vest for an Ashland Police K-9 after hearing about a police K-9 in Akron being killed.
