With money to spend and five months of eye-opening exposure to the human service needs of Logan County behind them, the Student United Way committee is ready to hear your pitch.
Local schools, teachers, organizations, churches, and government entities are encouraged to apply for a United Way Youth Allocations grant by the March 22 deadline. Grants will be awarded in April for use this summer or during the 2024-25 school year. Applications are available online at www.uwlogan.org or by calling (937) 592-2886.
The 28 high schoolers involved in United Way’s leadership development program finalized their criteria for awarding grant dollars this week. Now they hope to make an impact with the $28,000 they have available to allocate.
“Being in Student United Way means that you get to be the eyes and ears about what is going on in your school,” said Kienna Notestine, a senior from Riverside and Ohio Hi-Point Career Center. “Then when you come together, everyone is sharing all the things they hope to change in the community and target what they feel is important to make a difference for generations to come.”
This year, Student United Way wishes to support work in these areas of need that they identified:
- Mental Health, such as but not limited to one-on-one support for students and coping skills for younger students.
- Anti-Vaping Initiatives, such as but not limited to support for students currently vaping and anti-vaping education for elementary and middle school students.
- Poverty-Fighting Initiatives, such as but not limited to financial literacy, career exploration, and employment opportunities for teens and soon-to-be graduates.
- Mentoring Programs.
- Other ideas that support local youth, such as Food, English as a Second Language, Drug Prevention, Access to Personal Hygiene Products, Driving Safety, and After-School Transportation.
Applications can come to support new or existing in-school or community-based programs that serve Logan County youth under 18.
The students collectively arrived at their conclusions after a series of experiences and discussions during United Way’s year-long leadership development program. The year started with a poverty simulation. The students learned about economic development in the community with a walk through downtown Bellefontaine. A tour of the Logan County Jail and Courthouse included details about how juvenile crime impacts families. At the SpartanNash warehouse, students learned about local career opportunities. Richwood Bank provided information about financial literacy.
“My very first day in Student United Way as a junior last year, I had no idea what to expect,” said Amelia Schiedebusch from Indian Lake. “We went to the fairgrounds for a Second Harvest Food Bank distribution. And to see the amount of cars that were there for the need of food in the community, was the biggest eye-opening experience I’ve ever had. It was a slap in the face. It was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is so real.’ And I had no idea.”
Students participating in Student United Way this year include:
- Alexis Buffkin, Ava Campbell, Nolan Core, and Caleb Torsell from Bellefontaine High School.
- Mya Burrey, Evan Carpenter, Kate Gulick, and Carter Lyden from Benjamin Logan High School.
- Abigail Hermiller, Zeke Reynolds, Nora Thornton, and Ezekiel Wylie from Calvary Christian.
- Ava Faler, Amelia Schmiedebusch, Daniel Wahl, and Heath Wilson from Indian Lake.
- Travis Brooks, Laila Lynch, Tyler Michael, and Kieanna Notestine from Ohio Hi-Point Career Center.
- Nate Copas, Brice Kauffman, Avery Perk, and Emma Saylor, from Riverside High School.
- Ivy Cline, Craig Sanford, Carter Titus, and Akira Whitman from West Liberty-Salem High School.
United Way is the philanthropic hub of Logan County. Since 1955, generations of local residents and businesses have made their charitable impact through the United Way. When you give to United Way, you become a part of a long-standing solution that works to positively influence the health, education, and financial stability of every person in Logan County. More than just a fundraiser, United Way collaborates with businesses, non-profits, government, and civic organizations to address the growing needs of our community. No gift is too large or too small, as your contributions of time and treasure unite with those of others to make a difference here at home.