Preparing future Philanthropists at Clairemont High School!
We’re bringing philanthropy to Clairemont High School in San Diego! Last week, Main Street Philanthropy engaged another set of students, this time at Clairemont High with the Academy of Business and Technology (AOBT)! This class brings together a collaboration between Ryan Ponsford of Main Street Philanthropy and Alan Walter of Clairemont High School who attended Santa Rosa High School together a rather large number of years ago. Together they are guiding 29 high school juniors and future philanthropists; educating them on the joys of intelligent giving. The students got started last week with the MAD Card sort – identifying their personal passions and concerns they’d like to address in the world. Already we’ve discussed how students’ lives have been impacted from disease, foster care, military service, and faith. Students are getting to know each other in new ways, gaining deeper understanding of core values of their peers. Through this 8-week course, students will identify their core concerns and passions, write a philanthropic mission and vision statement, locate and evaluate non-profit organizations, learn to read a 990 tax return, interview board members, then determine how they will allocate their investment to the organizations – funded by generous donors to Main Street Philanthropy. Whew – lots to accomplish; not a dull moment! As always, blogs are starting this week - follow along! Here’s a little about the Academy of Business and Technology: WHAT IS AOBT? The award-winning Academy of Business & Technology, or AOBT, is a “school within a school” at Clairemont High that focuses on business, computer, and communication skills. Our three-year program provides college-prep core classes and business career-technical electives in 10th, 11th and 12th grade. Our Mission: The Academy of Business & Technology provides students a supportive, rigorous community where they can take ownership of their education and future; students acquire the technological, financial, and communicative skills necessary to succeed in a college and career environment. We help students invest in their future! WHAT AOBT OFFERS: Our academy program is committed to providing students with an array of unique educational activities and opportunities that are not typically incorporated into general education courses such as:
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Bringing Philanthropy into Harmony!
As I shared last week, the students at Harmony High School are now into week two of Main Street Philanthropy. If you enjoy seeing the lives of teenagers transformed in an amazingly positive program, you really ought to follow along their blogs! They’re just getting started, but pay attention as they share their insights, lessons learned, and perspectives of the world and how they can (and will!) make a difference. Each time we start a new class, I have a renewed spirit, a new excitement and thrill with the good that can be done in our lives. We’re inundated with so much tragedy and sorrow in the world, let’s focus on how groups of students are pooling their efforts to make a positive impact. With Main Street Philanthropy, we’re developing and inspiring the next generation of philanthropists by helping students experience the joy of intelligent giving! Join Us!! Want to learn about how to bring philanthropy to your school or group? Interested in participating in changing the lives of students? Drop me a note; I’d love to share how it works! ~ RyP Today is the day! Main Street Philanthropy is entering the lives of another group of students, this time at Harmony High School in Harmony, Florida! Led by Scott Farnsworth, this group is about to embark on an adventure that will impact their lives for many years to come. I’m so excited about the progress and upgrades we’ve made to program in the past 8-10 months – more hands on exercises, the development of our MAD (Make A Difference) Cards to help participants identify their personal passions and concerns, and an upgraded workbook to guide them through the experience. For the next 8-weeks, the students of Harmony High will embark on an adventure to identify their personal passions and concerns, find organizations that support their cause, evaluate them – quantitative and qualitative, then make a financial investment in their long term success. I’m thrilled for them, I’m thrilled for Scott, I’m thrilled for the organizations that will receive the support, and for all the people whose lives will be touched by hearing the stories that these students will share. Please join me in wishing them a wonderful experience! ~RyP MCPHATTER SCHOOL, A LESSON IN PHILANTHROPY PLAYWRIGHTS PROJECT WAS RECENTLY AWARDED A GRANT FROM STUDENTS AT MCPHATTER SCHOOL IN SAN DIEGO, WHO TOOK PART IN A PROGRAM WITH MAIN STREET PHILANTHROPY. READ ON BELOW FOR DETAILS ON THIS AMAZING AND UNIQUE PROCESS! WHAT IS MAIN STREET PHILANTHROPY? Main Street Philanthropy was founded by Ryan Ponsford, a wealth management professional who helps families with philanthropy. He spoke with his friend Scott Kreinberg, a teacher at McPhatter School, who thought his students could benefit from learning more about philanthropy–specifically the process leading up to, and the actual act of giving donations to local non-profit organizations. The Main Street Philanthropy Challenge is a six week program that brings the lessons learned through philanthropy from the ultra wealthy to the students and families of Main Street. WHAT WAS THE PHILANTHROPY PROCESS? Over six weeks, students worked in groups to research non-profit organizations that shared their values and addresssed areas where students would like to see change (personal values, issues, and social concerns). After reporting their findings, students would agree on organizations to further research. They were guided in performing both Qualitative Analysis (through volunteering and individual interviews) and Quantitative Analysis (through a review of the non-profits’ IRS Form 990). Students would then meet and agree on how to distribute their funds from Main Street Philanthropy (funded by Giving Hope Worldwide Foundation). Students met with Playwrights Project’s Executive Director Cecelia Kouma. They had a worksheet of 23 questions to ask a non-profit before donating, which included questions on the Mission and history of the organization, programs and services offered by the organization, board and volunteer information, and financial history. Students also looked through our IRS Form 990 to find more information on expenses, fundraising and other revenue to determine the financial sustainability. Organizations that received funding from the McPhatter students were San Diego Humane Society, Father Joe’s Village, Becky’s House, PLNU Health Promotion Clinic, ARTS (A Reason to Survive), & Playwrights Project. HOW CAN THE STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM THIS TYPE OF PROJECT? Students benefitted from the Challenge in several unique ways: increased trust and communication among participants, expansion of preparedness and understanding of financial concepts, an appreciation for the need and purpose of philanthropy in our society, and for many, increased self-esteem and confidence by being on the giving side of philanthropy. MORE INFORMATION ON MCPHATTER SCHOOL McPhatter School is part of the Juvenile Court & Community Schools system with the San Diego County Office of Education. McPhatter acts as a placement site for students who are on a long-term suspension, expulsion or zero tolerance from San Diego Unified. They are often referred by the Juvenile Probation Department, the Department of Social Services, or the Juvenile Court. A large number of the students are homeless or in the foster care system, many of which are living with friends or family other than their biological parents. Of those enrolled, 85% of students are from socio-economically disadvantaged situations; 34% are considered “English Learners.” The goal of McPhatter is to build student self-esteem, increase course completions, and return students to a traditional school district. Students live at home and attend school during the day. The average stay for a student enrolled in McPhatter is 6 months or longer. WHAT IS THE HISTORY BETWEEN PLAYWRIGHTS PROJECT AND MCPHATTER SCHOOL? Playwrights Project has brought in-school playwriting residencies to McPhatter for the past two years, and students have also attended the Plays by Young Writers festival. Mr. Kreinberg’s class attended a performance of Switch by Lisa Kirazina (from the Telling Stories: Giving Voice to Foster Youth program) during last year’s play festival. WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE BEEN SELECTED BY THE MCPHATTER STUDENTS TO RECEIVE THEIR DONATION, AND AGREE THAT THIS UNIQUE GIVING CHALLENGE WAS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE FOR BOTH THE STUDENTS AND OUR ORGANIZATION! THANK YOU TO MCPHATTER AND MAIN STREET PHILANTHROPY!! - Playwrites |
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