Youth award Jewish grants

By JEWISH REVIEW

article created on: 2011-03-01T00:00:00

The Oregon Jewish Community Foundation announced that its teen board of directors for the Youth Foundation (OJCYF) has completed its Jewish allocations and awarded a total of $3,000 in community grants to Jewish nonprofits.

The 23 teen participants in the Youth Foundation’s “Group A” made the allocation decisions at their Feb. 6 meeting. Together, these 23 Jewish high school-students, along with the six in “Group B” (those who have already completed two years in the program) spend their year in OJCYF gaining hands-on experience researching non-profits, assessing needs through site visits, volunteering and learning how to face tough choices in funding decisions. Their allocations reflect emphasis on local human services and preserving Jewish heritage (see details page on 30). Jewish Family and Child Service, Cedar Sinai Park, the Oregon Holocaust Resource Center and Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, received the largest grants. The Group B teens are involved in internships, mentoring and other leadership activities throughout the year.

This year’s Jewish Allocations were: BBYO $50; B’nai B’rith Camp Kehila for children with special needs (BB Camp) $150; Cedar Sinai Park $300; Jewish Family and Child Service $400; Jewish Federation’s Community Relations Committee $200; Jewish Federation of Greater Portland Outreach Sukkah Project $200; Jewish Review $50; Jewish Student Union $180; Jewish Theatre Collaborative $100; Morasha/Melton Adult School $150; Mittleman Jewish Community Center’s Therapy Pool $150; Moishe House $150; Mother’s Circle $100; Oregon Holocaust Resource Center $200; Oregon Jewish Museum $100; The PJ Library $120; Portland Hillel $150; Portland Jewish Academy $150; PSU Judaic Studies $100. Total $3,000.

The OJCYF’s secular allocation will take place in April, after the Youth Foundation board members again conduct site visits community-wide to learn firsthand about non-profits and their needs. Past
secular non-profits receiving support from OJCYF include Sisters of the Road Café, p:ear, Outside In, Cascade Aids Project and Ronald McDonald Houses of Oregon.

These allocations are made possible by the generous support of the OJCYF “Angels,” including Henry and Gerel Blauer, Stan and Judy Blauer, Dick and Cameron Davis, Stuart Durkheimer (of blessed memory), Irwin and Renee Holzman, Debra and Jay Platt, and Harold and Jane Pollin, who provide these funds for distribution. The final OJCYF allocation of the year takes place in late May and supports both Jewish and secular nonprofits. The funds available for the May distribution are those dollars raised at the OJCYF annual benefit dinner.

OJCYF’s Compassion in Action Annual Benefit Dinner will be April 28 at 5:30 p.m. in the MJCC’s Stern Family Ballroom on the Schnitzer Family Campus. This community-wide fundraising dinner is hosted by OJCYF’s teen philanthropists and provides a forum for sharing their experiences in OJCYF. All 29 Youth Foundation teens are involved in extensive preparations for the dinner. To learn more, search “OJCYF” on YouTube to see Youth Foundation videos from prior years or visit ojcf.org. Compassion in Action tickets are $75 per adult; $50 per student (middle school and up). Make a table of family and friends at this unique intergenerational event. For reservations, visit ojcf.org. RSVP by April 21. Sponsorship opportunities are also available, for more information about, call OJCF, 503-248-9328. All proceeds benefit the OJCYF.

The deadline for OJCYF grant proposals is Monday, May 2, 2011. All applications must be mailed to the OJCF office no later than May 2 to be considered. Application materials and guidelines are on OJCF’s website at ojcf.org.

Since its inception in 2003, the OJCYF has had a profound impact in the community, allocating more than $181,000 to more than 88 Jewish and secular organizations in Oregon and SW Washington. Many of the teen board of directors participate for multiple years during high school. OJCYF’s adult advisors are OJCF Executive Director Julie Diamond and youth educator Jonathan Emanuel. OJCF Board Advisors are Sharon Morell, Rob Shlachter and Mike Tannenbaum. In 2008, the OJCYF was honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Oregon and SW Washington as the Outstanding Innovative Project.

The mission of the OJCYF is to secure the future of Jewish philanthropy and to develop a strong generation of future Jewish leaders. By involving Jewish teenagers of the greater Portland Area in the fundraising, allocation, and distribution of money to both Jewish and secular non-profit organizations, OJCYF teaches its youth of the satisfaction of philanthropy while instilling in them a sense of responsibility in community.