The Athens Foundation

Second Step Bullying Prevention

2011-11-10T10:32:00.000-08:00

Thispast spring The Athens Foundation issued grants to numerous organizations inthe area that strive to improve the quality of life in the community, one ofthose being The Appalachian Peace and Justice Network (APJN). Mara Giglio isthe director of APJN, and the conflict management trainer for a program called Second Step, a bully and violenceprevention program that teaches children skills in empathy, respect, listeningand focusing, anger management, self-talk and other skills for life. According tothe Committee for Children, a non-profit dedicated to the prevention ofbullying, violence and children abuse, “a recent meta-analysis found thatstudents participating in such programs showed significant gains insocial-emotional learning (SEL) skills, attitudes, and behaviors, as well asacademic achievement.” Second Stepteaches these skills through role-play, songs and videos, puppets, discussion,and interactive games that get kids thinking about their feelings, and how tohandle conflict appropriately.

Mara Giglio instructing Second Step class

Second Step has reached numerous elementaryschools in the area including Amesville, Chauncey, and Trimble, and is beingtaught to children as early as pre-school up through 6^th grade. WhileMara Giglio teaches the curriculum herself to the classes, she also encouragesthe teachers to incorporate the material into their lessons. Marcia Burchby, akindergarten teacher at Amesville Elementary, teaches the program because shebelieves that by using specific examples of bullying, arguments,anger-management issues etc. that she observes in class she brings thecurriculum closer to home for the children.

Sincethe implementation of this program in local elementary schools, children andtheir parents strongly feel that it is changing their attitudes and behaviorswhen conflicts arise. When Chauncey Elementary was having problems withbullying, Giglio had a lunch class with 5^th grade girls, sheexplains how one of the girls came up to her in the middle of class and testifiedthat the bullying stopped when they started the class. Giglio further explainshow “just getting together, addressing the issue, being face-to-face andupfront about it helped cut down on bullying.” Parents have also said thattheir children are now teaching them how to take deep breaths, and count to tenwhen they get upset.

TheAthens Foundation supports organizations like APJN that are changing the livesof those in our community. APJN was granted $2,600 which helped to buy thecurriculum needed for Second Step.Mara Giglio says “we are using the best curriculum that we can get our hands onthanks to The Athens Foundation. It’s really improved over the last year. Thekids love it, I love it and it’s really making a difference in all of theseschools.”

Rural Action Grant

2011-07-06T12:39:00.000-07:00

Rural action is in its 9th year running youth summer camp. Their goal is to contribute to the overall wellness of youth and to also give children the tools they need to care for the land and improve their quality of life through environmental stewardship. These camps run for only one week, but in that one week kids have an opportunity to learn about the nature around them, which is a big change of pace from being cooped up in a classroom all school year. From hiking to canoeing to hanging out on the beach, kids get to do it all in a week's time.

The campers lead by Joe Brehm, Rural Action's new Environmental Education Program Director, see many different parks in Southeast Ohio in the week they have together. They began the week at the Glouster Community Park, followed by the Trimble Community Park, and then they traveled to the Wilds, located in Cumberland, Ohio, where they were able to get a look at the wide array of animals such as Rhinos and Giraffes. Thursday they traveled to Monroe Outlook and they ended the week at Burr Oak State Park on Friday. Guest speakers teach the kids in small groups. While I was there the children were learning more about a fish's natural habitat. Later, every camper was given a fishing rod and they were taught how to tie a fishing hook and learned how to properly cast a fishing rod. Earlier in the week the kids were taught a survival program by the Program director Joe which included how to properly make fire without a set of matches.

None of these camps and the learning experiences that go along with them would be possible if it wasn't for funding from outside organizations such as the Athens Foundation. Rural Action receives a substantial EPA grant during the school year which helps with environmental learning projects in the classroom, but this grant does not apply to extracurricular activities such as these camps during the summer. That is where the Athens Foundation and other organizations come into the picture to help Rural Action with their mission of fostering social, economic, and environmental justice in Appalachian Ohio. The Athens Foundation awarded Rural Action a $3,000 grant to fund these youth summer camps. Specifically, this money has gone towards paying for increasing transportation costs for the children to and from parks. This money has also gone towards giving the kids two meals a day as well as more supplies and equipment such as butterfly nets and fishing rods. Besides the summer camps, the money will also be used to conduct eight library programs throughout Athens County focusing on environmental and leadership issues among youth. Also, money will be used to provide outdoor programming for at least sixty children through Kids on Campus and Trimble Elementary School. The rest of the money will go towards outdoor leadership activities at the Hocking Valley Community Residential Center that will include at least twenty at-risk youths. The Athens Foundation can undeniably say that the grant money they have awarded to Rural Action is being used to enhance the quality of life of people throughout our region in a productive way.

Athens Food Security

2011-06-06T14:26:00.000-07:00

Worldwide around 852 million people are chronically hungry due to extreme poverty, while up to 2 billion people lack food security intermittently due to varying degrees of poverty (source: FAO, 2003).

Food security refers to the availability of food and one's access to it. A household is considered food-secure when its occupants do not live in hunger or fear of starvation. According to the World Resources Institute, global per capita food production has been increasing substantially for the past several decades.

Southeast Ohio ranks 2.5 percent higher in food insecurity than the national average. There are over 13,000 people (or around 20 percent) of people in Athens County are food insecure. 40 percent of the residents in Athens County qualify for food stamps.

The Southeast Ohio Food Bank is the only food bank in Ohio that serves in an area with no metropolitan draw. There are 21 food pantries or meal sites in Athens County alone. While they serve all of Athens, the volunteer leadership within these pantries is aging and fresh produce storage is a problem for them. Also, food producers do not donate as much to food banks because of improved quality control. These factors have reduced donations by as much as 60 percent.

There are several state programs which directly benefit Athens food security. The first, the Ohio Agricultural Surplus Program pays Ohio growers and farmers fair market value to harvest products and transport them to food banks and their networks. Two million of the eight million pounds of food distributed by the Southeast Ohio Food Bank came from this program (or 30 percent). Second, there are Purchase Programs designed for the state to purchase canned goods in bulk for food.

Because of increased demand for food, it has become increasingly difficult for food to be distributed to families across the area. Due to the economic downturn, demand for food from food banks has dramatically increased and pantries are not able to be open for enough hours because they are run solely by volunteers.

Those who run food the Southeast Ohio Food Bank not only aim to increase the number of volunteers in food banks and increase the amount of preservable food given to them, but they aim to educate those who are in need as well.

They hope to help educate in the areas of food preparation, self-sufficiency and preservation.

The proceeds from the first annual Athens Key Event on September 24, 2011 will benefit food security initiatives in Athens.

The Women's Fund commemorates its fifth year anniversary

2011-05-21T14:03:00.001-07:00

On June 7^th, The Athens Foundation will honor members and donors of the Women’s Fund with a special evening reception. The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Eclipse Company Store, located in The Plains.

Celebrating its 5^th year anniversary, the Women’s Fund Celebration will honor members who have met their pledge goals of $5,000 over a five-year period as well as new donors who have recently pledged to the Women’s Fund. In addition, the gala aims to honor the founders of the Women’s Fund, who created a legacy of stewardship and philanthropy in the region.

The Women’s Fund is especially important for Kate Leeman, one of the original founders of and contributors to the Fund.

“I first became interested in this project because, although women and girls suffer the most from poverty, they simultaneously offer the greatest hope for change,” Ms. Leeman said. Her longstanding involvement with The Athens Foundation and the Women’s Fund stems from her desire to help educate women and give them opportunities to succeed, in turn encouraging them to give back to and better their communities. “With the Women’s Fund, I think we were hoping to encourage local nonprofits to develop programming specifically targeted to meet the needs of low-income women and girls,” she continued.

The Women’s Fund endowment is used to award grants for projects that may not receive support from more traditional sources. These include start-up or ongoing social, educational and artistic endeavors for and by women and girls.

First Annual AF Key Event

2011-05-19T15:37:00.000-07:00

The Athens Foundation will host their first annual Key Event on September 24, 2011.
The event is modeled after the Key Event held at the West Chester Liberty Community
Foundation and will raise money for Food Security in the Athens area as well as support the ongoing work of the Foundation.

The event will take place in the Baker Center Ballroom, and in host homes throughout
Athens. Upon arrival at Baker center, attendees will take part in a live and silent auction in which they will bid on vacation destinations and other luxury items.

At the auction, the attendees will select a “key” to their dinner destination, which will be revealed at the end of the auction.

Each key gives the recipient access to a host home in the Athens area. There will be
approximately 20 homes available each with a gourmet chef from a restaurant or caterer in the region. Guests will join their hosts in their homes and will be treated to a homemade gourmet meal prepared right in their kitchen.

The following chefs have been secured for this year’s event:

Hilarie Burhans – Salaam

Matt Rapposelli – Ohio University

Tom Landusky – Hocking College

Libby Markham – Busy Day Market Catering

Doug Weber – Hocking College

John Gutenkanst – Avalanche Pizza

Fran McFadden – Ohio University

Andy Henry – Inn at Hocking College

Ty Williams – Athens Country Club

Anthony Schulz – Inn at Cedar Falls

Scott Bradley – Zoe’s

Kevin Hurst – Lattitude’s

Jon Lang – Ohio University Inn

Barbara Fisher – Salaam

Early online bidding will begin soon on the Athens Foundation website.

For more information about the event, please continue to follow our blog, and check our website.

Federal Valley Resource Center

2010-08-20T12:20:00.000-07:00

The Federal Valley Resource Center is using their spring grant money from The Athens Foundation to bring the buildings up to safety code. The $2,550 is being used to purchase the proper exit and safety lighting and fire extinguishers for all 24 exit doors and seven hallways in the three buildings. The safety essentials will be put up with volunteer labor.

In May of 2003, the Federal Hocking School Board initiated the formation of the Federal Valley Resource Center to manage the campus for the benefit of the community. The Center serves eastern Athens County and is the only site in the area that can meet so many community needs. It is equipped with exercise machinery, a gymnasium, a concert hall, a thrift store and a computer lab. A senior club meets in the basement of the Center, and karate classes and summer programs for children are available. Reasonably priced hourly or monthly rentals are available for studios, offices, classes and parties.

Grant Application Deadline

2010-08-11T08:16:00.000-07:00

The Athens Foundation is accepting applications for grants now through September 15th. Grants will be awarded to projects focused in the areas of health, social services, animal welfare and community improvement. Grant application forms can be found on our website at www.athensfoundation.org/GrantApplicationForms.

The Women’s Fund is also accepting grant applications now through September 15th. The Fund supports social, educational and artistic projects aimed at improving the quality of life for low-income women and girls in Athens County. Grant application forms can be found on the Athens Foundations website at www.athensfoundation.org/GrantApplicationForms. The Women’s Fund is a component fund of the Athens Foundation, and in just over 20 years it has donated $1 million to local charities and has an endowment of over $3 million. Any money that is donated to the Women’s Fund is used to support projects that are unfortunately not supported by other traditional sources. It only took $50 donations from eight local women to start the fund, so get your grant applications in and “be the candle that lights the way for Athens County’s women and girls.”

Nelsonville Community Center

2010-08-10T11:40:00.000-07:00

Athens Foundations spring grant recipient, Nelsonville Community Center, is using their $2,550 to educate the community by promoting healthy living through a substance prevention program called LifeSkills Training.

The LifeSkills Training program is proven to reduce the risks of alcohol, tobacco, drug abuse and violence by targeting the major social and psychological factors that promote the initiation of substance abuse. The program was implemented on Auguest 1 and will continue until December 31 with Boys Group on Mondays, Girls Group on Tuesdays and Power Pals on Wednesdays from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM.

The Nelsonville Community Center is a non-profit organization that welcomes all Nelsonville and surrounding community residents. At pre-school age, classes are offered to teach children social interaction, school readiness and educational play. School age children are educated in drug and alcohol prevention, safety education, health, nutrition and social development. A Parent Support Group provides knowledge and education to families about healthy living. The Nelsonville Community Center also provides community lunches, emergency food boxes, a free clothing bank, a community garden, a summer feeding program and an Ohio Benefit Bank site.

Dairy Barn Cultural Arts Center

2010-07-26T08:38:00.001-07:00

The Dairy Barn Cultural Arts Center received a spring grant of $1,100 from the Athens Foundation, and they’re using the money to help enhance the local community by making arts programs accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

The grant money was used to purchase two 46” LCD monitors that will be programmed with historical and artistic content in order to enhance the printed material for the students and the visitors.

Founded in 1978 by Athens natives Harriet and Ora Anderson, the Dairy Barn Cultural Arts Center is an art gallery that offers exhibitions, events and educational programs. The Barn helps increase tourism in Southeast Ohio, having exceeded 18,000 visitors in 2009 alone, including artists and individuals from 24 states and three foreign countries. The Center hosts four exhibitions each year and offers classes year round.

Because the Dairy Barn is notorious for their educational programs that help develop art appreciation among all ages, this year a new educational program was created; Project MOO CALF. This project is an educational outreach program that includes free Mentoring and Onsite Outreach for Children to inspire Arts Learning Fun. As part of the project, six educational panels will be created per exhibition, as well as education gallery guides and educational materials for hands on activities per exhibition. According to the Dairy Barn’s Executive Director Andrea Lewis, “Because children and the audiences are changing, we wanted to go into new media.” With the help of the two LCD TV’s, “each exhibition [will] have a specialized youth component that is digital in nature,” and with this, art programs really will be accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

Non-Profit Conference

2010-07-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

"An opportunity for non-profits to network and hone their skills."

On August 25, 2010, non-profits of Appalachia Ohio will unite to network and build their leadership skills.

The conference, sponsored by both the Athens Foundation and the Regional Nonprofit Alliance at the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs at Ohio University, will be held from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and will feature workshops on social marketing, finance, board leadership and non-profits role in community leadership.

Speakers include Professor Robert Stewart, Director of the EW Scripps School of Journalism, and Hans Meyer, Asst. Professor of Journalism discussing the basics of social media marketing. Linda Thornton, CPA and Emily Prince, Executive Director of ARTS/West will be talking about finance for non-profits, and Professor Judy Millesen and Carol Kuhre will meet with board members to discuss board leadership. A special presentation will be made by Kathy Merchant who will talk about "Doing well by doing good: the role of non-profit organizations in driving success in school."

Kathy Merchant is the CEO of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation. She has received numerous achievement awards including the Ohio Philanthropy Award, the YMCA Career Woman of Achievement Award, and was named a "Top 50 Power and Influence" leader by The Nonprofit Times. Merchant chairs both the Strive Partnership and the Greater Cincinnati Workforce Network. She is known for serving in a number of leadership positions for non-profits including the Center for Effective Philanthropy, the National Center for Arts and Technology, and the Cincinnati USA Chamber.

If you're interested in hearing Merchant speak among many other community leaders, call 740-594-6061 or email susan@athensfoundation.org to register.

Factory Street Studio

2010-07-14T10:10:00.000-07:00

Factory Street Studio is one of the Athens Foundations’ spring grant recipients. The dance studio received $1,350 in grants and will be using the money to make renovations to the dance floor and a broken door.

The scuffed up, over-sanded hardwood dance floor will be replaced with a permanent Harlequin Standfast floor made of PVC. It is a specialized floor made specifically for dance studios and has a 30 year lifespan. The downstairs exterior door is no longer capable of opening and thus it will be replaced with a new door, eliminating the safety hazard the current broken door poses.

Factory Street Studio is a pre-professional and recreational dance organization which was founded in 1978 by two Ohio University dance graduates, Cita Strauss and Marina Walchi. The studio’s mission is to provide an educational program to South East Ohio dedicated to teaching creative dance, movement, and other artistic expressions. The staff aims to maximize students self-esteem and personal growth as well as dance technique and cooperative spirit.

At Factory Street, courses are offered in modern, ballet, jazz, tap, pointe, hip-hop, and modern composition. Twenty eight classes are offered every 14 week semester, with two concerts yearly. The studio has recently added two new programs to the course; taking upper class students to the Ohio Dance Festival and a visiting artists in composition program. Student age ranges from pre-school to adult.

By receiving this grant money, Factory Street is able to increase their ability to attract more students because as the quality of the building improves, enrollment in courses increases. And as more students get involved, the studio is given a greater opportunity to “encourage personal growth and cooperative spirit through creative dance and movement.”

Shade Community Center

2010-07-06T06:32:00.000-07:00

The Athens Foundation’s most recent grant recipient, Shade Community Center, is using its' $3,000 to fulfill their mission of “strengthening lives in the community” by purchasing new computers to replace the outdated systems available to community members. The goal of replacing the outdated computers is to provide a local site for township and community members to learn Windows 7, Microsoft Office and other computer programs that may not be available elsewhere. By offering use of computer programs free of charge, the public is given the opportunity to advance their skills for better job opportunities, school projects, or even homework. When school is in session, classes will be available for members to learn how to properly use the programs.

The Shade Community Center Association was established in March of 2005. Weekly events are held at the Center, including Shade Senior Citizens Association, Shade Lodi History and Genealogy Association, Jerseyville Jammers Music Group, quilting, open gym, and Annual Community Appreciation Day. Shade is also notorious for throwing a kickin’ Halloween bash. Weekly hot lunches are offered, the computer lab is equipped with high-speed Internet, and a library is available to the public. There’s a basketball court and baseball field open to the community, and a new walking path surrounds the field. The Center is also the only emergency shelter between Athens and Coolville.

Space is available to rent by the public, and classroom size individual offices can be leased for permanent use. If you’re interested in renting out the Center, contact President Pat Davidson at davidson@ohio.edu.

Eduacting area youth at the Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery

2010-05-17T19:35:00.000-07:00

The Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery is pursuing its mission of providing hands-on educational experiences for youth in the Athens area. The "movable museum" recently displayed one of its first exhibits, a kaleidoscope that offers insight into human perception, at Kidsfest in The Convo.

A computer literacy program at The Gathering Place

2010-04-12T16:00:00.000-07:00

Bridgebuilders: An afterschool program at Trimble

2010-03-09T12:40:00.000-08:00

Every day after school, Melissa Bailes offers students in Trimble Township the opportunity to engage with one another and themselves. They don’t need to pick up a football or play an instrument or anything. They just need to show up.

Bailes and the Bridgebuilders program hope to combat teen alcohol and drug abuse with mental and physical stimulation for the student population. The goal, as assessed by the Child and Family Services in Athens County, is to involve 100 percent of the students from fifth to eighth grade in some kind of after-school and summer activity.

Bailes has approached the problem by putting much of the program, which began in August, in the hands of its participants.

More than 30 students came into school on a Saturday afternoon, believe it or not, for a chance to set fire to the strings in a Guitar Hero competition that the program sponsored.

Bailes described the environment as “awesome”.

A group of students watched a stage performance of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Christmas play at ArtsWEST. Another visited the Athens Historical Society on a field trip. Students even took a few steps in a dance class. Still others joined a discussion group centered on nutrition and self-esteem.

The target students are not involved in other after-school activities and those who come from home environments where abuse is an everyday reality and the parents are often addicted to drugs, especially prescriptive ones. Children Services has reported that 85 percent of domestic abuse cases in Athens County involve substance abuse in some form.

According to a survey by Bridgebuilders, more than 7 percent of the students said they had used someone else’s prescription pain medication as a recreational drug. Even then, it ranks only fourth in the students’ drugs of choice.

“There are kids who don’t see much hope,” she said. “Now they’re excited. They come to me all the time and ask: ‘What are we doing next?’ These are kids who have never been to a play.”

The program is continuing to expand. Bailes is about to start a club called “Men of Strength”, focused on helping young male teens mature into men and not perpetuating domestic abuse in an area where it is common.

Finding community support is crucial for Bridgebuilders to maintain its success. Bailes plans on opening up a game night to involve families of students and other community members. Other possible plans include collaborations with the art studio at the Dairy Barn and Stuart’s Opera House.

Teen Power! Fighting violence with knowledge

2010-03-09T12:36:00.000-08:00

When Kate McGuckin describes dating violence among teens, passion pierces through in her voice. Her fight is not only with individual instances of violence, but with an entire culture of aggression.

“We live in a very violent society,” said the director of My Sister’s Place, a domestic abuse shelter in Athens, “and the media glamorizes violence. We have a huge barrier trying to compete with the media.”

So, with aid from the Athens Foundation, My Sister’s Place recently partnered with Girl Power! to produce its first sessions of “Teen Power”, a program on dating violence for young teens. More than 40 area girls from ages 8 to 14 attended. The curriculum educated the girls on the characteristics of a healthy relationship, how to recognize abuse in a relationship, and what resources are available if they fear they are victims of abuse.

Teen dating violence is a tangible danger in Athens and across the nation. Studies of eighth and ninth grade students found that a quarter of them had suffered nonsexual violence in a dating situation and eight percent had been abused sexually.

The problem, as far as McGuckin can tell, forms from a combination of early exposure to sex and the prevalence of violence in television, movies and music.

“People are dating younger,” she said. “They are exposed to strong media messages about the importance of being popular, having a boyfriend, and seeking external validation through a relationship.”

In summary: “There’s a lot of peer pressure to be popular.”

So the Teen Power program responded by offering an opportunity for these young women to understand their own power against violent behavior and to prepare them for successful and healthy relationships as they enter the dating world. The girls designed t-shirts, posters and postcards reflecting those themes. The art was distributed to various local venues – libraries, schools, health centers – to raise awareness. Some girls wrote poetry; others cooperated to produce a play.

The key was peer-to-peer interaction and connection, which would ensure the lessons learned in Teen Power could translate into real-world scenarios.

“It was their program,” McGuckin said.

The authorities appear to be taking notice of the problem as well. Ohio passed legislation this last year mandating an education of dating violence in the school system.

McGuckin envisioned Teen Power as a program that could be replicated in the school environment. There is also room for expansion, and McGuckin hopes the opportunity for another session comes up.

“We would certainly like to continue this,” she said.

Ohio University Kids on Campus

2009-08-28T12:55:00.000-07:00

The youth of Appalachia is taking part in activities that provide creative outlets and indirect learning through Ohio University's Kids on Campus.

Although the organization has many programs designed for children, the wood-working shop has been one of the most popular, says Eric Tabler, facilitator of the class, adding that the hands-on work the students are doing is very rewarding. Another benefit of the class is that it gives students practice with mathematics without the conventionalities of a classroom. As a high school Spanish teacher, Tabler has had experience in a classroom setting, and because of his previous knowledge of wood-working and the enjoyment he receives from this hobby, he chose to facilitate this class.

Kids on Campus is a program that provides youth with activities they may not normally be able to take part in. Its goal is to enrich the lives of these children by providing them with classes such as wood-working as well as academic programs and tutoring sessions. Tabler believes this is important for children today. The organization also extends these services into the school year by providing after school sessions.

The Athens Foundation assisted Kids on Campus by granting it funds to buy the supplies needed to execute its classes, such as the wood and tools for the wood-working class.

Athens Photographic Project

2009-08-19T06:56:00.000-07:00

Breaking barriers is what the Athens Photographic Project is all about, says Project Director Nate Thomson.

By enrolling individuals recovering from mental health problems in photography courses, the Project is interested in providing students with an artistic outlet in which they are able to overcome the obstacles their illnesses have put in the way of continuing on with an enriched life. Thomson told the Athens Foundation that sometimes patients see themselves as their diagnosis rather than a contributing member of society and that his organization provides them with a way to realize otherwise. "The nature of the arts is to challenge self-identity," he said, and by engaging in photography students are able to bring out parts of their persona they would have instead suppressed. He added that "it's fine art, but it's also answering a need."

A student and future mentor of the program Beth Klaus offered advice to those waiting to take classes. She said to never give up, adding that she never would have gotten as far with the program if she had. One of the most important successes she's had with the Athens Photographic Project include having new experiences. "It expands your horizons," she said. Involved since 2000, Klaus said that the classes "really started making [her] smile when [she] got her hands on the manual [camera]...and being in total control." She is ready for the challenge of becoming a mentor of the program.

Thomson reported that a major obstacle of the program has been keeping the program alive. State funding for mental health is being cut, causing programs like this one to suffer. He said there is a gap between being perceived as a community member and a mental health patient, and his ogranization is trying to bridge that gap. However, there is no lack of participation in the program. Twenty-five students are enrolled for the advanced class in the Fall, and 40 are on the waiting list. "We're looking at how we can continue to replicate the program model by pairing with other organizations and creating opportunities for visiting artists to lead classes," Thomson said. The grant the Project received in the Spring of 2009 is helping to fund these efforts.

Appalachian Staple Foods Collaborative

2009-08-19T06:53:00.001-07:00

For Michelle Ajamian and Brandon Jaeger, the Appalachian Staple Foods Collaborative is more important than simply growing hearty crops for the region.

Along with a desire to entice local farmers to grow staple crops, Operations Manager Brandon Jaeger told the Athens Foundation that it is also about working towards devloping a program to get this food to food banks for low-income families. These banks are normally places where people are getting the worst food commodity, but with help from the Collaborative they will be able to get the best food first. With this accomplished, families who were once unable to afford quality foods will have the opportunity to become more nutritious, allowing their health and children's school performance to improve.

The project is also determined to keep agricultural business in the Appalachian region. Jaeger also said that the resources farmers are growing are being exported elsewhere to be sold, in turn removing those profits from its home area. He says that developing a staple foods system will decrease this economic loss. June Holley of Networkweaving and also a partner of the Collaborative conducted several surveys of the region and reported that eight local food businesses in Athens are willing to buy staple foods that have been grown locally, providing support for Jaeger's claim.

Executive Director Michelle Ajamian believes their efforts will succeed simply because food is an entity that everyone needs. "[It's] a common denominator," she said, elaborating that food is a place where people can come together. "It's a strategy for changing the world."

The Appalachian Staple Foods Collaborative received its grant in the Spring of 2009. The money is being used for what Jaeger calls "the unglamorous," such as crop handling and equipment. The project is also being funded by Rural Action and the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation.

Leaders leading leaders: Leadership Athens County

2009-08-03T06:14:00.000-07:00

In a world where the adage, "It's not what you know, it's who you know" is so commonly used, it makes sense for a foundation so committed to assisting its fellow do-gooders to provide a vehicle for improvement in this area. Leadership Athens County is a nine-month course that allows participants to network with each other while learning of the economic, political, social and cultural landscapes of the region. This opportunity for growth is so important in an area like Athens County because it not only provides an insider's view of the industries here but also of the diverse opportunities available to upcoming business professionals. Participation in this program will surely establish healthy relationships as well as furnish a solid understanding of the environment in which a flourishing industry is much needed.

Leadership Athens County meets one full weekday per month from October through May, with a two day retreat kicking off the year in September and an ending retreat in May. Tuition is $450 and scholarships are available. Applications are being accepted now through August 7 and are available online at www.leadershipathenscounty.org. Up to 20 applicants will be selected to participate. Contact Tina Thacker by phone at 740-597-1711 (office) or 614-557-8681 (cell), or by email leadershipathenscounty@gmail.com with any questions.

Re-structuring the structure.

2009-07-30T06:55:00.000-07:00

In a news update from the Chronicle of Philanthropy, I've discovered a facet of the non-profit world that is sometimes overlooked: social-justice grant making. This effort is geared more towards sparking a reform in the structures that provide jobs to the disadvantaged rather than simply providing aid, and foundations are taking greater strides in expanding this idea. Reading about this topic has caused me to become cognizant of the depth to which philanthropic work needs to reach.

As a non-profit, the Athens Foundation is focused on bettering the community in which it resides, plain and simple. And while this is an obvious and noble goal, it is sometimes difficult to see past the charitable actions and into the results they hope to produce: change for the future. An example of an organization dedicated to truly producing a change of this nature is the Appalachian Staple Foods Collaborative. This group has centered its efforts around providing rural farmers with the necessary tools they need to be successful in the agricultural world, and this characteristic is what sets it apart. Other groups that choose to donate - whether it be seeds to farmers or food to the homeless - are not educating their constituents on how to alter their positions in life, and this is what needs to happen if any true betterment is to come.

As our society becomes more focused on this new and hopeful idea of change, perhaps it is time for non-profits to focus more on social reform as a way to move closer to a world where all are capable of helping themselves rather than simply being helped.

Feel free to read the Chronicle of Philanthropy article at: http://philanthropy.com/news/updates/index.php?id=8877

Former President encourages more philanthropic support for rural areas, appreciation from AF ensues

2009-07-27T08:13:00.001-07:00

As an intern at the Athens Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing support to rural Athens, Ohio, it is pleasing to read that a prominent political figure realizes the need for more support in areas such as ours. An article in The Daily Tell, a publication that focuses on reporting good news rather than negative, featured a highlight on former President Bill Clinton who gave ideas for underdeveloped regions to receive more money. He said that there should be more options for philanthropists when it comes to donating time and money to rural parts of the country. This way, there are more diversified means of providing support.

During my time with this organization I have come to appreciate the way in which we assist the Athens community. Instead of simply giving money to any organization that is out to do good, we meticulously analyze how the money will be used and what the overall goal of the receiving organization is. Through the research I've done on the grantees and the interviews I've conducted, I have been fascinated by the creative methods organizations like Village Productions in Amesville and Kids on Campus here at Ohio University have employed to bring a better way of life to the underprivileged in Athens. Working closely with the people who are behind them has given a new life to the meaning of philanthropy, and I look forward to further educating myself on the diversified services that the Athens Foundation supports.

A link to the article referenced above can be found at http://www.thedailytell.com/2009/07/clinton-more-philanthropy-needs-to-be-focused-on-rural-areas/.

Interview with Gary Goosman

2009-07-14T11:22:00.000-07:00

Village Productions operates out of Amesville’s Grange Building. This building was originally erected to house a 150 year old social fraternity, the Grange organization. Its main goal was to be a venue for farmers to learn new farming techniques and to socialize with other members in the industry. The Grange organization is now a means for all community members to become familiar with each other, and Village Productions is utilizing this idea in their attempts to broaden the cultural horizons of its constituents.

Although it began as a dance studio, Village Productions became a non-profit organization in 2005 and since that transition, classes have extended beyond dance. Popular classes include yoga and theater for children, adults and senior citizens. In this video, Gary Goosman, the president of Village Production’s board of directors, discusses his goal to modernize the organization while allowing it to remain a social network for community members, and explains how he will utilize the grant money that the organization received from the Athens Foundation. Also in the video are clips from a djembe drumming class.

Summer 2009 Interns

2009-07-14T11:12:00.000-07:00

This summer, the Athens Foundation will be joined by two public relations interns from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, Maddie Stevens and Mary Quinn. They will be working on projects such as the newsletter, the web site and advancing social media efforts, as well as working closely with this year’s grantees.

In these videos, Maddie and Mary discuss their summer experience with the Athens Foundation.

Maddie chose to work with the Athens Foundation in order to learn about nonprofit organizations and their means of productivity. She has previous experience working as an intern for the American Red Cross in Boardman, Ohio and is considering pursuing a career with Limited Brands or participating in Teach for America. Maddie’s favorite thing about Athens is the welcoming atmosphere. “It feels like home to me, and I want to give back to the place that already has given me so much,” Maddie said.

Mary is looking to gain experience in her field through her time with the Athens Foundation. “I’m interested in doing PR for a nonprofit organization,” she said, and wants to partake in a career that allows her to help others. She also is excited about getting to know other Athens community members and learning more about the Foundation’s grantees. Mary has worked as an intern for the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board in Columbus, Ohio. She doesn’t have just one favorite part of Athens – she loves everything! “It’s so beautiful, and I enjoy becoming more involved in the community and seeing things beyond OU’s campus.”

The Athens Foundation is glad to be working with these two for the summer!

How Funders Serving the Appalachian Region of Ohio are Responding to the Economic Crisis

2009-02-26T07:45:00.000-08:00

A program for foundation and corporate funders Hosted by The Athens Foundation and the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville in conjunction with Ohio Grantmakers Forum Tuesday, March 17, 2009 10 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
The Dairy Barn
8000 Dairy Lane
Athens, Ohio 45701
In recent months, many funders have witnessed dramatic decreases in the value of their assets, with losses of 30% and more in some cases. The economic crisis which brought this sudden and steep downturn has also fueled a surge in human need. Unemployment, hunger, homelessness and other social ills are on the rise. How are funders serving Appalachia responding to the crisis? What are they doing to accomplish their missions with dramatically fewer resources? You are invited to participate in a conversation for funders about today's challenging economic environment. You will hear the latest information about giving in Southeast Ohio and what the forecast looks like for grantmaking in 2009. Funders will share how they plan to help nonprofits and the community weather these tough times. In addition, exchange information, ideas and tactics with colleagues to better meet the needs of the communities you serve and support. Talk with your colleagues to develop opportunities for collaboration in the region! Presenter George Espy, president, Ohio Grantmakers Forum This program is free to funders. For more information visit www.ohiograntmakers.org.

Thirteen Local Organizations Receive Grants

2009-02-19T06:20:00.000-08:00

On December 9, 2008 at the Athens Foundation annual meeting the award of $33,190 was announced. The following local organizations received grants:
Appalachian Reading Council, Athens CASA/GAL, Athens County Food Pantry, ATCO, Inc./ Development Activity Center, ATCO Inc/Personnel Plus, City of Athens, Community Food Initiatives, Faith Believers Ministry (Feed My Sheep Food Pantry), NAMI Athens, Nelsonville Public Library, Trimble Elementary-Middle School, Village of Buchtel and My Sister's Place

Women's Fund Fundraiser

2009-02-11T13:03:00.000-08:00

The Women's Fund Fundraiser will be held on a Friday night in March 2009 (not Spring break) at the premiere private opening of Salaam Restaurant, 21 West Washington St., Athens. Reply today with a payment of $77 to assure your reservation for this limited seating event. RSVP: susan@athensfoundation

Grant Application Deadline

2009-02-05T07:37:00.000-08:00

The deadline to apply for spring grants is March 16, 2009. Click on the link for applications and more information. A grant writing workshop will be held Feb. 9, at 10 a.m. at the Athens Community Center, free of charge.
RSVP: Athens Foundation (740) 594-6061