Monday, February 11, 2019

United Way supports Empowering efforts to help kids

Christy Baker, Executive Director of United Way of Darke County, is surrounded by appreciative kids and volunteers in Empowering’s After School Program at Greenville Schools new K-8 facility. Empowering Darke County Youth has been a United Way Partner since 2016.
GREENVILLE – Empowering Darke County Youth was brought into the United Way family with a Community Fund grant in 2016. The young organization was made a full-fledged partner in 2017, and was renewed in 2018.

“This was big for us,” said Bob Robinson, Empowering Program Coordinator. “The application process is tough, and since the United Way relies on community support, they make sure the programs they support will benefit the community. United Way opened the door for us. For what we are trying to do for our kids.”

Recently, United Way Executive Director Christy Baker had an opportunity to find out just how appreciative participants and volunteers were for the support, as well as seeing the Empowering program in action. She stopped by Greenville Schools K-8 building on a day that Big Brothers Big Sisters was there for its twice-a-month school-based mentoring program. Edison State and Greenville High School volunteers tutored more than 40 Empowering students, then worked together on an activity prepared by the Big Brothers Big Sisters leaders.

Darke County United Way helps fund 23 agencies in the areas of education, income stability and health. Empowering receives its support through the education part of the program.

Empowering Darke County Youth is actively seeking adult volunteers for tutoring, but also to help build the program to meet the increasing demand for its services. Thirty-nine requests for help for its After School Tutoring Program in 2016, with the support of Greenville teachers and staff, has jumped to 136 requests in 2018. Supervisors and Edison State student volunteers work with kindergarten through eighth grade students, five days a week.

“We need help from individuals with all types of skills,” said Robinson. “Administrative, fundraising, marketing, financial support… if you care about our kids and our future, we need you. Message us on Facebook or email empoweringyouth101@gmail.com. Want more information? Our annual meeting is March 7, 7 p.m., Tribute Funeral Home, Greenville Campus, on North Broadway. It is open to the public.” Empowering Darke County Youth is a 501c3 non-profit community service organization.

The Empowering Mission: Empowering Darke County Youth provides After School and Summer Tutoring programs to assist students in the areas of language arts and math with the goal of Strong Students for a Strong Community.

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