Riley Kohn on LinkedIn: Rotary Club of Sioux City awards local non-profits (2024)

When I started using outdoor and experiential education as my primary approach to teaching high school I immediately saw the changes in my students' faces, their body language, and how they navigated and interacted with the world. I could see and sense in their interactions with the world the shift in what we now call 'mindset'. Back in the day, people would ask me how I knew that what I was doing with these teens would be effective, long-lasting, and have an impact. In short, they asked, "What is the evidence?" Back then, my stock response was to say "Ask me in 10 years, then we will know how they are doing and how we did." Here are two personal stories that demonstrate the power of outdoor education to change lives. Last week, I saw a post (linked below) about OBCA staff member Roger Lopez and the critical role he plays as a lead instructor for Outward Bound California. His life journey is inspirational and out on course he is a role model for his students. It is not a coincidence that Roger is an alum of Get Out and Learn (getoutandlearn.org), a high school experiential and outdoor education program in the SFUSD. His experiences in that program offered him the chance to go on Outward Bound, which turned the outdoors into a lifetime career and put him on the pathway toward becoming an outstanding OBCA staff member. Similarly, Belynda Ray is an alum of GOAPe, a predecessor program to GOAL. Her success in that program led her to become an OBCA Pinnacles scholar and a life-changing experience in the wilderness. Today, decades later, Roger and Belynda continue to pay it forward to the next generation.The partnership between OBCA and community organizations give youth like Belynda and Roger the opportunity to go on life-changing experiences with Outward Bound California. None of this is possible without the scholarships OBCA offers. IT IS individual donations that make what seems financially impossible, possible.Yes, it was a previous generation of generous donors like you who changed Roger and Belynda's lives. Tomorrow (May 8th), we rappel to support the next generation of Rogers and Belyndas. Please join us with your financial support. It's worth it. https://lnkd.in/gMVc-mTURoger's Journey with OBCAhttps://lnkd.in/gT34Rb9V

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Founded in 2004, Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Programs, Inc. is a state-wide college access organization that promotes equal access and opportunities for under-represented college bound student to obtain a post-secondary education in Connecticut.Our goal is to increase college readiness, participation and completion in Connecticut among low-income students, first-generation college-going students and students of color.Each year HHYEP has had 100% high school graduation rate, 100% college acceptance rate, and 80% parent involvement rate.Higher Heights has personally employed over 95 youth, 100% have graduated from high school, 95% have enrolled into college receiving over $10 million in scholarships and grants.The mission of HHYEP is to change the lives ofunder-represented college bound students toEMPOWER, ENCOURAGE, and EQUIPthem to obtain a post-secondary education.We’ve raised $3,000 so far and I am asking for you for support in Day 2 of The Great Give:https://lnkd.in/epBRpZ-t

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“[I] was nervous going into the cohort conversation because [I] didn't know what to expect and was delighted that it ended up feeling like fun.” -Pathways Pilot ParticipantThis is not “another course to take,” or “box to check.” The Pathways program is developed for/by the arts, culture, and heritage sector and provides a unique opportunity to both offer individualized mentorship and establish a community of practice with a supportive peer network that spans the province.Learning to action: Pathways supports participants to continually transform learning about equity and access into tangible actions in their work and organizations. Expressions of interest are now open - apply before July 22.Full program details are available on our website www.manypathways.ca —------Image Description: A navy blue square with light teal line accents. White text over the square reads: Pathways is based on a learning-to-action approach, tailored to your specific context, organization, and capacity. On the bottom left of the image is a white and navy swoosh with the Pathways logo. The BCMA, Rural Arts Inclusion Lab, @gvptatheatre and @ArtsBC logos are featured bottom right.#Pathways #ArtsBC #BCArtsCouncil #BCMuseumsAssociation #GVPTATheatre #RuralArtsInclusionLab #BCArts #BCNonprofit #NonprofitArts #CommunityArts #Equity #Accessibility #Nonprofit #NonprofitLeadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #SectorChange

“It felt like someone was going to help us move us along, instead of punishing us for not being where we 'should be.” -Pathways Pilot ParticipantMeaningful change does not happen quickly, easily, or alone. We need time to build relationships, learn, reflect and integrate new knowledge. Many people in our sector are balancing very limited capacity and resources with the desire and expectation to further embed equity into their work quickly. Our approach with Pathways is to support a community of learners with an individualised program that centres reflection and intentional action. We have structured this program to take place over a full year to allow time for supported learning-to-action cycles. Join us in Pathways, a free program that supports Arts and Heritage workers as we learn about equity and access, and integrate this work into our organisations. Expressions of interest are now open ➡️ apply before July 22! Full program details are available on our website www.manypathways.ca —------Image: A navy blue square with light teal line accents. White text over the square reads: A sustainable commitment to equity and systems change requires ongoing time, energy, resources and a community of support. On the bottom left of the image is a white and navy swoosh with the Pathways logo. The BCMA, Rural Arts Inclusion Lab, Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance (GVPTA) and Arts BC’s logos are featured bottom right. #Pathways #ArtsBC #BCArtsCouncil #BCMuseumsAssociation #GVPTATheatre #RuralArtsInclusionLab #BCArts #BCNonprofit #NonprofitArts #CommunityArts #Equity #Accessibility #Nonprofit #NonprofitLeadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #SectorChange

🫂🙏❤️ Thank you to the local organizations that have stepped up to support the arts and culture organizations in SWFL that lost funding. These organizations provide essential educational, entertainment, tourism, and cultural resources for our community.🫂🙏❤️The state budget cuts eliminated every penny of arts & culture funding, totaling $32 million, with an estimated $3 million cut specifically in SWFL. This drastic reduction affects not only arts organizations but also tourism and hospitality. According to the Naples Daily News, "Lee County's nonprofit arts-and-culture industry generated a whopping $135 million in 2022 and the first four months of 2023, according to the recently released national study Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6). Lee County’s nonprofit arts and culture industry also supported 2,516 jobs." Thus, the $3 million invested in SWFL has the potential to generate $135 million in revenue for Lee County.Thank you Collier Community Foundation and City of Fort Myers for supplying grants to help restore some funding, but there is still a long way to go.I know others have also contributed. Please acknowledge their support and do what you can to maintain critical programs for children and families in our community. If your situation allows, please make a gift or patronize these organizations today! https://lnkd.in/eW9Q4wdXhttps://lnkd.in/eXmRcf-3

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It's interesting to see what happens when you speak out. In this case, it’s an invitation via Tim Eby to join the board at the St. Louis Civic Pride Foundation and the honor that comes with serving. The Foundation is an education non-profit, part of Explore St. Louis, our local convention and tourism bureau. The mission:to energize St. Louisans to support their community.Here’s where I editorialize. This is an example of passion + need = opportunity. I'm passionate and vocal that each of us needs to SHOW UP to improve the cities we live in, for ourselves and the generations to come. And my home town, which has so much potential and resources, also has many challenges. Improving civic pride is one of dozens of things needed to address those challenges. Which leads to opportunty: when someone comes knocking, asking for help, in my experience you find a way to help. Bottom line: just say yes!I’m excited to join my fellow board members, roll up my sleeves and get to work!

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Ade A. is spot on with his perspective in this article. It is a must read.

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Check #TimonelFoundation to find out more about our mission and how you can be able to contribute to our young adults education. Let’s keep dreaming, let’s dream big! For a better future!

Time for more info about what will be happening at the National Philanthropy Day Education Conference presented by Port Corpus Christi!Here is what our lunch keynote (sponsored by H-E-B) from Lisa M. Chmiola, CFRE, CSPG the Chief Fablanthropist from Fablanthropy will be talking about:- - - - - Resilience is a Team SportTrying times test even the strongest of us, and the past three years have presented a number of plot twists to the nonprofit community – not just to our organizations, but to us personally as well. Despite these obstacles, we’re reminded that the best way to manage trials is through teamwork.Collaboration is critical to the growth of our communities – we must work alongside our donors, clients, and colleagues – both inside and outside our organization. How do we foster these connections for success?Lisa will share her personal experience of bouncing back after a layoff in the early months of the pandemic. We’ll discuss strategies for relationship management and learn how truly we should be competing to better ourselves and not against others to win.- - - - -Conference Details: This year the conference will be held at the Del Mar College Oso Creek Campus in the beautiful Tres Grace Community Room. Half day and Full day options will be available. A full schedule can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gevkbbWuRegistration is $75 (Half Day - $40) for AFP Coastal Bend members and $90 (Half Day - $50) for future members. Registration can be found by clicking the link below: https://lnkd.in/gtZTEbFV#community #corpuschristi #coastalbend #development #education #fundraising #networking #associationoffundraisingprofessionals #afptxcoastalbend

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The RightThoughtplus the RightPeoplein the RightEnvironmentat the RightTimefor the RightReason= theRight Result

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