HOW IT WORKS
We begin with determination and dedication, two key words that will ensure the goals and success of Reilly’s Philanthropy Boot Camp at each participating school. Focusing on the well-known proverb “It takes a village to raise a child,” our program unites the efforts of an entire community to teach tomorrow’s leaders the value of giving today. The Reilly Foundation is committed to working together with communities to empower our youth to make a difference.
THE STUDENTS
Reilly’s Philanthropy Boot Camp is a unique program to students and serves as a positive option to school detentions or court-directed service hours. This program offers a positive reinforcement approach to punitive measures and provides an opportunity for students to connect with their communities. By actively engaging youth in learning each step of the giving process, we encourage problem students to become problem solvers. The same students, who have made poor choices in the past, learn to make right choices for their futures.
SESSIONS
During the 15-week program, 2-hour sessions will be offered each week at the participating school. Each of the sessions is designed as a stand-alone lesson. Ultimately, if a student chooses to participate in a single session he/she will still benefit from that one lesson. Each lesson will be facilitated by a trained community volunteer and may include a guest speaker that will bring their expertise to that particular lesson.
The interactive sessions include:
-Philanthropy education
-Community Needs Assessment
-Non-profit Board Development
-Volunteerism
-Marketing
-Fundraising
-Grant Writing and Review
-Gifting of Funds
In the final session, students act as grantors and disburse funds raised through their efforts to the non-profit agency/agencies of their choice.
DETAILS
Students will research their communities to determine a need for philanthropic efforts. Once a need has been established, they will create a marketing plan and fundraising events. The program will also concentrate on the finer points of grants. This includes grant and proposal writing and grant evaluation. Finally, students will learn how to award grants to 501(c)3 not-for-profit organizations and Enrichment Scholarships for youths in need.
REWARDS
Upon completion of Reilly’s Philanthropy Boot Camp, each participating student will develop the ability to recognize the needs in their environments and the will and confidence to take the necessary steps to change it. Students are encouraged to continue their philanthropic efforts independently. Their success in the program will promote leadership skills to make positive change in their communities and their futures. They will learn to embrace the act of giving as youth and become conscious, routine givers as adults; and the circle of giving will continue as they pass on their commitment to change onto their children.
THE SCHOOLS
While many schools continue to use punitive measures, by way of detention or suspension, and juvenile courts resort to community service hours as punishment for disciplinary issues outside of school, Reilly’s Philanthropy Boot Camp serves as an educational alternative to correcting school-age students. Our program is an effort to promote continued learning and educating by positive reinforcement specifically for at-risk students.
COMMITMENT
Every school is committed to the education of all its students, especially those at-risk. Reilly’s Philanthropy Boot Camp is a program that can easily be implemented at schools to benefit these students by encouraging their capabilities and honing leadership skills.
DETAILS
Once a school has shown interest in implementing our program, The Reilly Foundation’s Executive Director will speak with the school administration and school board to address any questions they may have regarding the program’s curriculum. Once approved by the school board, the Reilly Foundation will work with the school to research local business owners and leaders who might serve as facilitators at each of the sessions throughout the duration of the program.
Each participating school must provide:
-Space on campus for weekly sessions
-A staff member to attend each session
-Bus services for up to three field trips
-Assistance in securing volunteer facilitators
-Assistance in securing guest speakers
GOALS
The goals of Reilly’s Philanthropy Boot Camp are to give students the tools and knowledge to give back to their communities, increase school attendance rates, build self-esteem, encourage empathy, promote leadership skills, create a sense of belonging among the at-risk student population, and decrease discipline referrals. Through the help of our volunteer professionals, we also hope to make students aware of career choices and opportunities. Evaluation of these goals will be determined by short and long term assessments of students, parents, and administrative staff.
THE FACILITATORS
Reilly’s Philanthropy Boot Camp enlists the assistance of a wide variety of community leaders to serve as program facilitators. Teacher certification is not required but participants must have a passion for teaching youth. They must possess a desire to work with youth ages 14-18, the ability to teach community value, and the enthusiasm to encourage service learning.
SESSIONS
The curriculum includes the following sessions:
-What is Giving?
-Places to Give
-People Who Give
-Giving for a Living
-Interfaith & Cultural Giving
-Planning and Executing Fundraisers
-Board of Directors and NPO Basics
-Designing a Grant
-Processing Grant Applications
-Kids Teaching Kids
-Gifting Ceremony
Various field trips to non-profit facilities and volunteering efforts are also included in our session curriculum.
COMMITMENT
An average of 15 hours is required of each participating facilitator. The hours are distributed as follows:-8 hours of “Teach The Teacher” One Day Seminar
-2-hour teaching session
-4 hours of session preparation
-1 hour of wrap up time is required for each session
It is recommended that facilitators commit to no more than two sessions per 15-week program.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Guest speakers will be assigned to the appropriate lesson to provide expertise and knowledge in coordination with the facilitator’s plan for that particular session.
DETAILS
Guest speakers must be community savvy. He/she must be a business leader in the given community and possess the expertise needed to fulfill a particular lesson. An example of this would be a team of marketing and design professionals that would assist in the Planning a Fundraiser session to provide students expert knowledge and materials to execute their fundraising efforts and event.
COMMITMENT
A volunteer guest speaker is asked to commit approximately 3 hours per 15-week program; 1 hour is dedicated to session planning with the established facilitator, and 2 hours are dedicated to actual session teaching.
THE SUCCESS
Reilly’s Philanthropy Boot Camp is an unforgettable and rewarding experience for all those involved in the program. From problem students to problem solvers, each participating student is not only rewarded with philanthropy education, but they will increase self-esteem, sense of self accomplishment, community awareness, and feel the impact of giving to others.
Testimonials
"After participating in Reilly's Philanthropy Boot Camp, I realize now there's more to my community than what I thought. I'm now volunteering at our local animal shelter and am considering more volunteers opportunities."
Angela, Student Participant
Reilly’s Philanthropy Boot Camp
“The Riley Boot Camp provided a tremendous opportunity for our students this past year relative to community participation and personal involvement. The experience has become an important component of our community service initiatives here at Valparaiso High School.”
Jim Doane, Principal
Valparaiso High School
“From a personal perspective, I watched students who had poor attitudes become young men and women who took pride in what they had accomplished and were motivated to make positive change in their community. It was an amazing process and one that should be replicated nationally.”
Pat Swanson, Programs Director
Valparaiso Community Schools
“I was drawn to the PBC idea because instead of punishing those students who have been punished probably from elementary school on up, you are trying to teach them another way of thinking all together. It is not about punishment; it is about teaching those particular groups of students that they can make a difference in the community and have a successful future even if their past was less than desirable.”
Nicole Garcia, Facilitator
“The adult volunteers get the chance to see their community through the eyes of some of its young people and learn by teaching. The students, who are often labeled by negative stereotypes or not recognized for all they have to give, get the chance to connect to the world around them and find mentors in business leaders they would not otherwise come in contact with. The community at large benefits when its members,of all ages, become involved and engaged.”
Elizabeth Higdon, Facilitator
“From an educator's point of view, this program is an extremely valuable tool that is all too often missing from school curriculums. We (school systems across the country) tend to expose students to character/philanthropy education, but are seldom able to provide them with the real-life experiences that help make imperative connections to what was learned.
PBC is designed to do just that ... integrate learning and relevant experiences to create a desire to give back to one's community, hopefully carrying over into adulthood. I am proud to have been a part of this project as both a developer and a facilitator.”
Cathleen Nalli, Elementary Teacher
Valparaiso Community Schools/
PCB Curriculum Committee
This program is intended for children ages 12-18 years of age.
Contact us for more information on bringing Philanthropy Boot Camp to your area!
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