Fenn Youth in Philanthropy

3/10/2010

This is the fifth year of the program, says Susan Richardson, who serves as the director of Constituent Relations and who began teaching the extracurricular class at Fenn two years ago. The group works closely with the Foundation of Metro-West. Eight ninth graders have met weekly since last fall to learn about philanthropy. The boys researched a variety of service organizations in the area and made site visits before deciding which ones to support, using funding from an anonymous donor. “When we made our site visits we were treated like real philanthropists,” said Drew Coash, a YIP member who is also president of the student body.

“It is so rewarding to work with this group,” Mrs. Richardson says. Ninth graders apply to take the class, she explained, and the size of the group varies from year to year.

The representatives from the service organizations expressed gratitude for the support they receive from Fenn. “We thank you for your spirit of caring. You touch the lives of others with your efforts,” said Patty Ochoa, development director for Minute Man Arc.

Ben Ticho, executive director of Big Brother Big Sister, said the Fenn boys “asked us thoughtful questions that really made us think about our mission.”

Members of Youth in Philanthropy this year are: Gabe Arnold, Drew Coash, Will Crowley, Joe Emello, Nick First, Trent Green, Ned Nardi, and Gil Roddy.