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Kids Learn It’s Okay to Fail, Thanks to Women’s Foundation
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Monday, October 8, 2018
 

STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

The kids ended up wanting to feed their lunch to the worms as they learned how to compost.

But whatever hunger pangs they might have suffered as a result of sacrificing parts of their lunch paid off in dividends when they headed back to school last month.

“I had one mom tell me that for the first time ever her kids were excited to start school,” said Teressa Johnson.

Johnson, who moved here three years ago from Colorado Springs, had nothing but positives to share with members of the Wood River Women’s Foundation as she told them the difference their gift of $25,000 two years in a row had made to the Wood River Community YMCA’s Power Scholar Academy.

The program, part of a national Y program in 28 states, is in its third summer in Sun Valley. Held in partnership with Blaine County School District it provides certified teachers to teach literacy and math so youngsters don’t lose skills learned over summer.

The Academy enrolled 88 elementary school students, many of them youngsters who don’t take part in summer camps or family outings. They would lose three months skills in summer if not for the Power Scholars program, which would put them two and a half years behind by the time they get to fifth grade.

“Social and emotional learning takes place, too,” said Johnson, who also introduces youngsters to such activities as the Y’s climbing wall and Bonni’s garden. “They learn that it’s okay to fail, that failure is a part of success and that it’s okay to fail because they will eventually succeed.”

Johnson spoke at the Foundation’s new members coffee held recently at Tish and Tom Joachums’ home south of Bellevue.

The women introduced themselves to a dozen new members over Perry’s coffee and quiche as they sat on the lawn amidst lovely chrysanthemums, monkshood and the last of the roses surrounding the Joachums’ log home.

The Wood River Women’s Foundation started as an organization devoted to inspiring women to make a difference in the community through philanthropic giving. But it’s expanded to include book clubs, fishing groups, and organized hiking outings.

Many of the women have also become involved with many of the valley’s non-profit organizations as they’ve learned about their projects.

The group will hold a Christmas party on Dec. 13 and a Winter Forum educating the community about some aspect of philanthropy Feb. 7, 2019 at the Community Library. It has planned a Mix and Mingle in November at the Konditorei, which is open to the public.

And it plans to hold monthly mini-forums at Ketchum Works beginning this month to give foundation members and the community a chance to learn about the different needs in the community from the need for quality preschool education to the challenges people of color or those with mental health issues face, said Jeanne Cassell.

The foundation is now accepting applications from non-profit organizations for grants. The organization is accepting applications online at https://www.woodriverwomensfoundation.org.

Last year the Foundation received requests from 55 applicants for $750,000, said Grants Co-Chair Gina Wolcott. It awarded $334,828 in 2018.

It has given $2 million over the past 12 years as its membership has expanded from 35 members to 360. Members donate $1,100 a year, which is pooled and given to nonprofit projects the women collectively  choose to fund. First-time members can “try out” the organization with a donation of $500, thanks to a matching grant offered by an anonymous donor.

“We do so much for the community, but the community does so much for us,” said Terri LeFaivre.

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