10 results found for: child development center

State Farm Grant To Support Financial Literacy Programming at YFS

On Tuesday, April 6, three local State Farm agents presented Youth & Family Services (YFS) with a check for $5,000 to support financial literacy programming offered by the organization. “We are so thankful for this generous donation that will be used to help children and families served by YFS,” shared Connie Olson, YFS’ Chief Development Officer. To be a true catalyst of change and help bridge generations of families out of poverty, YFS works to provide intentional economic literacy opportunities designed to motivate low- to moderate-income families to move out of poverty. Olson explains, “We know that learning economics helps children and families understand our history, government and culture. It also helps us learn to make decisions about their personal and shared resources, to understand work and careers, and to develop the habit of analytical thinking. Economic principles do not just deal with money and jobs; they are at the core of decisions we make every day — decisions our children will use to shape their lives.” The grant was awarded by the State Farm Good Neighbor Citizenship program after YFS submitted an application and received an additional recommendation for the grant from Rapid CityState Farm agent, Scott Carlson. “At State Farm, we make it our business to be a good neighbor and are committed to building safer, stronger, and better educated communities,” stated Carlson. “State Farm is proud to support Youth & Family Services. For years, Rapid City agents have supported YFS as volunteers and through personal donations. This grant will specifically be used to assist in the area of YFS’ financial literacy programming and aligns directly with State Farm’s Community Development focus.” Pictured in photo from left to right: John Julius, YFS Chief Executive Officer; Scott Carlson, State Farm Insurance Agent; Dave Raml, State Farm Insurance Agent; Mike Smith, YFS Chief Operations Officer; Doug Markworth, State Farm Agent; Amanda Moriarty, YFS Child Development Center Director; Connie Olson, YFS Chief Development Officer; Justin Freeman, Community Outreach and Events Coordinator. Children pictured are enrolled in YFS’ Child Development Center.

YFS Creates New Garden at East Adams Site Thanks to Grants

Youth & Family Services (YFS) is excited to announce the creation of its new raised-bed garden at the organization’s 120 East Adams Street site. The garden is part of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and National Head Start Association’s GroMoreGood Garden Grants initiative, which seeks to connect one million Head Start children across the country to garden education and fresh food. Additionally, Live Well Black Hills awarded YFS a grant to support this project. YFS received a GroMoreGood garden grant—totaling $3,350—to help create a new raised-bed garden on the 32,000+ sq. ft. playground that exists between YFS’ Child Development Center and Girls Inc. of Rapid City programs. This grant is paying for garden supplies and garden education sessions for the children. The $500 grant from Live Well Black Hills purchased materials to build the raised-bed garden boxes, soil, plants, seeds, and garden tools for children. Once the project is complete, children enrolled in YFS’ programs will be able to utilize the new raised-bed garden for garden and nutrition education purposes.    According to Sharon Oney, YFS Chief Grants Officer, “We are honored to receive grant support for this project. It is our hope that this garden will help to improve the lives of the children and families we serve.” Through the GroMoreGood Garden Grants Initiative, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and The National Head Start Association will work together to combat some of the most pressing challenges facing today’s youngest generation, improving access to healthy food and increasing time spent outdoors connected to nature. The three-year program will make garden grants, garden kits, educational curriculum, and garden training available to all Head Start programs with the goal of creating more edible gardens and hands-on learning experiences for young children. On Friday, June 11, children from YFS’ Rapid City Head Start and Girls Inc. of Rapid City programs gathered to spread soil and plant a variety of plants in the new raised-bed garden. Plants that were transferred into the garden included squash, peas, tomatoes, and carrots.