NORWICH – In September, 16 junior and senior high school students at Norwich City Schools set out to learn about non-profit organizations and their effect on the community. Last night, their journey came to an end, as the students awarded $10,000 to three area agencies they deemed worthy.
An awards celebration was held Thursday night at the Canasawacta Country Club. Youth Philanthropy Council Advisor Susan Fertig began the event by telling the crowd about the efforts of the students. To be part of the group, students had to submit applications. Those who were chosen for the project dedicated time after school to learn what a non-profit organization is and how they operate in the community. The students then began soliciting proposal requests from area agencies for program funding. The students judged each application and determined which proposals they would fund. “The students’ arrival here today is a huge accomplishment for them,” Fertig said, acknowledging the work they’d put in over the course of the year.
Student Colleen Monday said the Youth Philanthropy Council began as a combined effort between the Norwich High School, the Colgate Upstate Institute and the Chenango United Way. The $10,000 the students were able to allocate came from the Community Foundation of South Central New York, the Chenango County United Way, NBT Bank and the Weyhauser Family Foundation.
“We’re excited to be here tonight to award the recipients of the grants,” Monday said. She explained that during the course of the year, the students had decided to use the money to aid programs focused on disadvantaged families with a focus on youth.
Sam DiStefano and Andrew Austin handed out the first award to Catholic Charities of Chenango County for their parents as teachers program. DiStefano explained the home-based program teaches parents and children the importance of childhood education and a positive attitude toward learning. The students gave $4,500 to the organization. Jeanette Trachtenberg and Lisa Smith accepted the check on behalf of Catholic Charities.
Charlotte Fetzko and Cassandra Grant presented the second award to the Mothers and Babies Perinatal Network for their Parents as Leaders center in Norwich. Fetzko explained that the PAL center saw a huge increase in clients from the time they opened their second center in 2004 through this year, increasing from 36 individuals to more than 100. Fetzko explained that among other things, the PAL Centers impart parental skills, provide an opportunity for socialization and provide services such as a parent academy, a 21-session program that teaches about food and nutrition, money management, home renting or leasing and employment.
The check for $3,600 was presented to Linda Ruffio of Mothers and Babies Perinatal Network.
The final award for the evening was presented by Carly Thompson and Asia Wolfe. The two presented The Place with a check for $1,900 for a new program called A New York State Experience. Thompson explained the mission of The Place is to love all youth as they are and to help them reach their full potential. The program will allow the organization to take children ages 5 to 12 on trips throughout the state during the summer months. The $1,900 will allow the organization to take two trips. One to the Watertown Zoo and one to a destination of their choice. Dave Sheldon, Executive Director of The Place, accepted the check on behalf of the organization.
Following the presentation of the checks, students thanked those who had aided them over the course of the year, including program advisor Susan Fertig, Chenango United Way Executive Director Elizabeth Monaco, the students at Colgate who helped see the project through and all of the non-profit organizations who had participated in the process.