Foundation Impact 2020
Gifted & Talented Academy at Hope Academy
The Foundation wrote and received a grant from the Macon County Community Foundation to explore and implement training that would benefit gifted and talented students at Hope Academy. The project provided training to teachers on meeting the needs of a student population that needs additional support and is often overlooked.
Hope Academy continues to collaborate with gifted and talented educators who provide additional instructional support to all teachers. Their opening day guest speaker was a talented educator who has provided and continues to provide professional development for staff and administration.
Foundation Impact 2021
Summer Math Academy (SMA) in Collaboration with Decatur Public Schools
SMA was developed by MDH Educational Foundation in collaboration with Decatur Public Schools. In previous years, prior to Covid, the summer math program is a fun opportunity for students to refresh mathematics skills prior to heading back to school in the fall. SMA is offered during the month of July. The program provides fun math instruction – no books and no worksheets allowed – by certified teachers. Students are grouped according to grade and gender. Lunch and snacks are provided. Each year, approximately 250 students participated. SMA was on hiatus during Covid but will return.
Volunteer Coordination with Ameren WISE
MDH Educational Foundation collaborated with Heather McConnell-Smith to develop virtual student engagement activities for students across Decatur Public Schools. MDH arranged the collaboration between both Ameren representative and DPS.
MDH also arranged the collaboration between Ameren with Heather McConnell Smith and Hope Academy. Students at Hope Academy spent a day learning about careers at Ameren and meeting with Ameren field employees.
MDH Educational Foundation in Collaboration with Jerry J. Dawson Civic Leadership Institute (DCLI)
DCLI has developed an annual Leadership Series Conference for high school students. MDH Educational Foundation provides volunteer speakers the leadership series conference annually.
MDH in Collaboration with United Way of Decatur & Mid-Illinois
MDH received funds from the United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois to support the work of DCLI. In utilizing the funds received in support of the DCLI Six-Week Summer Residential CNA Program, MDH coordinated the student needs specific to food and student scholarships. DCLI Six-Week Residential CNA Program enrolled seven participants during summer 2021 and seven successfully completed the course and are certified nursing assistants.
MDH working with United Way of Decatur & Mid Illinois “Healing Illinois Initiative.” The Foundation took on a major project and developed a magazine. The magazine entitled: “I Am My Sister’s Keeper” was a part of a process focused on addressing and understanding racism. The magazine interviewed 11 diverse women about their experience with racism, what has changed and what we can do today to impact change.
Magazine Digital Link
https://7bf10788.flowpaper.com/SistersKeeper122/
Foundation Impact 2022
MDH Scholarship & Fundraising
April 2022 MDH held a virtual scholarship fundraiser. MDH partnered with “Double Good” Popcorn as the fundraiser which was 4-day online fundraiser. Sales totaled $3,165 which netted MDH $1582.50.
MDH Awarded scholarships to students attending college or technical training during fall 2022 semester. Applicants and recipients were diverse and representative of the high schools in the Decatur Macon County Community. Applicants including a father with 3 children studying to become a “journeyman inside wireman,” a current college senior studying food science and 5 other deserving applicants.
· Three $1,000 scholarships
· Four $500 scholarships
Community Engagement & Support
MDH Educational Foundation supported Richland Community College’s first “Enriching Our History” Awards Program. The awards program was a to support scholarships for non-traditional African American program participants for those who are enrolled in workforce programs.
MDH in Collaboration with Community Foundation of Macon County
MDH received funds from the Community Foundation of Macon County to support the work of DCLI. In utilizing the funds received in support of the DCLI Six-Week Summer Residential CNA Program for year two. DCLI expanded the program from seven students to ten participants. MDH continues to coordinate room and board for participants as well as participation and performance scholarships.