Good morning! Good news!
Representatives with the Chippewa and Russells Point Neighborhood Outreach Centers reported this week that grant funding and generous community support helped to fulfill a need for a new vehicle for the centers serving children and teens in the Indian Lake area.
Director Drew Schick said a previous vehicle that was used for more than 15 years broke down last year.
“It had high mileage, was unsafe and the repairs were going to cost more than the vehicle is worth to try and fix….We were in need of a vehicle to utilize when transporting youth to and from programming in the community.”
To meet that need, Schick said he applied for a Community Impact Grant through the United Way of Logan County. The outreach centers were awarded the full amount of $25,000 that he requested.
He also reached out to numerous organizations, businesses, restaurants and individuals, explaining the situation and inquiring if they were in a position to make a donation.
“The support was amazing,” he said. “I received an additional $12,000 from the community and am happy to report we now have a brand new vehicle.
“I was overwhelmed with the support and would like to recognize them somehow for their generosity.”
In addition to the United Way of Logan County grant, other donations were received from All Around Accounting, Osgood Bank, Women of the Moose, Choice Properties, Lakeside Pro Bass Shop, Galilee Lutheran Church, Indian Isles Fund, Gary and Dana Kinsey, Bud’s Marine, Amvets Post 39, Winner’s Lakeview Market and Civista Bank, the director said.
Most of the youths in these neighborhoods are without reliable transportation and rely solely on the center for transportation, Schick related.
“With a new vehicle, we will be able to transport twice the amount of youth and reach out to more people in the community. Transportation will also allow the youth and their families to attend trips to the movies, bowling alley, swimming pool and other scheduled family outings.”
Both centers are well-established in the community and have been working with families for the last 21 years in Chippewa and 13 years at Russells Point. The mission of the outreach centers is “to improve the lives of the children and families through programs designed to strengthen families and encourage positive community spirit.”
Programming takes place on site, as well as transporting youth off site to other locations. Schick said one of the center’s popular summer programs is the “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” program.
“We are available to transport kids to people’s homes to do odd jobs, at no cost to them. This is a great way to involve the youth in helping others and developing relationships as they ‘pay it forward.’
“It has been my experience that once we develop this relationship with people in the community, they are more likely to reach out for help when needed.”
Throughout the school year, both centers also offer a homework help program to all students in the school district.