Local students give back

Kati O'Hare

Daily Press Writer

MONTROSE — Nonprofits across the region gathered in Ridgway Thursday to meet some of the faces of their supporters— area high school students.

The El Pomar Youth in Community Service program is in five San Juan Mountain Region high schools, Gunnison, Montrose, Norwood, Olathe and Telluride. The extra-curricular organization is a stewardship program of El Pomar, a foundation whose goal is to enhance communities through grants.

The EPYCS program awarded more than $40,000 in grants to 28 local nonprofits Thursday during a grants presentation ceremony at the Ouray County 4-H Event Center in Ridgway.

"Ghandi said, 'Be the change you want to see in the world.' We think you are a part of that change," Montrose EPYCS president Vanessa Perez said to nonprofit representatives.

EPYCS is an interactive program which empowers students to be a positive force in their community though leadership, volunteering and philanthropy.

Each high school group acts as a "mini-foundation" and creates a mission statement, raises funds and makes grant decisions, according to an El Pomar press release.

"It's a very student-orientated organization," Olathe advisor Jennifer Stansberry said. "The idea is to get kids to understand the needs of nonprofits in the community."

Members of the organization must raise a minimum of $500 in order for El Pomar to provide a $7,500 matching grant.

Schools raised the minimum amount by putting on events in the community such as bake sales, car washes and the first male fashion show.

The groups also have to participate in a community impact activity. Groups picked up trash and helped with other community activities such as the Lion's Club carnival, homecoming events and the opening of the Olathe gym.

"They have truly made their mark on the community," El Pomar program associate Camille Howells said.

The students receive grant applications from local nonprofits and decide, through their own process, which groups will have the most impact within the community with the funds they receive.

"It (EPYCS) gives students the opportunity to be part of their community and give back," Volunteers of America representative Tricia Garcia said. Volunteers of America in Montrose received $500 from the Montrose organization.

"It's an inspiration. We received the grant, but we are inspired by what they do," she said.

The five schools gave grants to nonprofit organizations such as St. Mary's Hospital for the Foster Grandparent Program, the Montrose 4-H Foundation, The Dolphin House Child Advocacy Center and Shoes for Kids.

"The hardest part was figuring out who to give it to because there are so many who needed it," Olathe member Bretta Posser said.

Olathe's 11-member group looks at which nonprofit would affect Olathe. It also looks at which group falls within their mission statement, which pushed education this year, she said.

Nonprofits weren't alone in receiving awards. El Pomar also awarded the EPYCS students and schools for their "above and beyond" participation.

One student from each school received an "Outstanding Student" award from El Pomar. Olathe student Stefanie Suppes and Perez, of Montrose, both received the award.

Montrose's EPYCS 22-member group, advised by MHS teacher Daniel Tyler for the past eight years, received "Outstanding School" in the San Juan Mountain Region. The group hosted regular El Pomar meetings as well as showing outstanding leadership, Howells said.

It also excelled in commitment to community service by raising additional funds and helping nonprofits to whom it could not provide grants.

Norwood's EPYCS 33-member organization walked away with the most prestigious award, Outstanding School of Colorado. They were nominated the best school out of the 140 schools who have EPYCS programs.

Contact Kati O'Hare via e-mail at katio@montrosepress.com