| Ocala, FL (December 4, 2019)– Two awards of $500 each were gifted to Voices of Change Animal League (VOCAL) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Ocala (NAMI) on Tuesday during the concluding celebration of Youth Philanthropy in Action (YPIA) at Belleview Middle School. Seventh grade students in Mrs. Cheryl Lindstrom’s civics classes received six weeks of instruction about philanthropy, the community, and how to put their efforts into action. Members of the NonProfit Business Council (NPBC) taught the classes and were on hand during the presentations.
One-day-per-week for six weeks, NPBC members taught about the history of philanthropy and the differences in the sectors of society (nonprofit, for profit, government) while encouraging students to learn about their passions and the community. Classmates were grouped based on common interests and created “case for support” presentations to support local charities with an imaginary $500. However, through a generous donation by Stan and Martha Hanson to the YPIA fund at the Community Foundation for Ocala Marion County, the students learned Tuesday the winning presentations received real money! The students presented checks during 3rd period to VOCAL and 4th period to NAMI. Since 2012, more than 850 students have received the YPIA curriculum in public and private middle schools throughout Marion County with $20,000 in grants given to nonprofits. Collectively in student surveys, 72 percent say they have learned more about their community through YPIA; 66 percent learned what they care about, and 65 percent plan to volunteer because of YPIA. For more information about YPIA, contact the Community Foundation at (352) 622-5020. |
The Community Foundation for Ocala Marion County is Building a Stronger Community…One Passion at a Time. Programs include the NonProfit Business Council, the Estate Planning Council, and the new Nonprofit Resource Center in partnership with Marion County, the City of Ocala, the Marion County Hospital District and Advent Health.
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