Students participating in Naperville’s KidsMatter Teen Philanthropy Initiative (TPI), have been giving back this holiday season, helping not only several significant causes and charitable events, but their own philanthropic learning.
TPI mentor, Kristen Refness, and some of her team members in the Teen Philanthropy Initiative, recently volunteered at Loaves & Fishes Community Services in Naperville. Their service is part of strategic volunteerism, a process of intentionally giving time and talents to assist other people and organizations in the community.
“Strategic volunteerism allows our TPI students not only to experience the joy of volunteering, but also to build their network of individuals working in the nonprofit sector in our community,” said Janet Sommerville, TPI program coordinator for KidsMatter.
TPI participants have also volunteered this year to support Turning Pointe Autism Foundation’s Pumpkin Race, the Naperville Halloween Hop, the Naperville Noon Lions Club’s Turkey Trot, and the DuPage Children’s Museum.
Strategic volunteerism is one of the three pillars of philanthropy, which TPI participants learn about through hands-on experiences and real-life applications. Giving and fundraising, the other two pillars, are also key elements of the two-year program.
During each cohort’s junior year, students learn about philanthropic giving, by granting $10,000 to local nonprofits that benefit young people. Then, as seniors, students learn about fundraising, as they develop and execute a campaign to support the program and increase grant funds available for next year.
TPI in Naperville is now in its second year, after launching during the 2023-24 school year. The idea for the program came from the Oak Park-based Three Pillars Initiative, a national nonprofit that aims to provide teens with comprehensive leadership skills and experiences so the next generation can sustainably impact community philanthropy and civic improvement during their lifetime.
The Teen Philanthropy Initiative is offered by KidsMatter in partnership with North Central College. The program is co-chaired by Nina Menis, CEO and Executive Director of KidsMatter, and Mark Trembacki, EVP, Chief Strategy Officer at Busey Bank, with Janet Sommerville as Program Coordinator. For details about the program, visit kidsmatter2us.org/teen-philanthropy-initiative.
KidsMatter: Recognized as Naperville’s proactive, youth oriented human service organization, KidsMatter’s mission is to build resilient kids who say “no” to destructive choices and “yes” to endless possibilities. Established in 2001, KidsMatter has received the Naperville Chamber of Commerce 2014 “NFP of the Year” Award, 2015 “AT&T Investing in Illinois Award” and Illinois Principals Association 2016 “Building School Community Bridges Award” for its work helping young people build developmental assets including positive values, healthy relationships, and self-esteem. With programming focused on preventing problems in the lives of youth before they start, KidsMatter equips youth and families with essential tools to manage the societal pressures and stress of everyday life through dynamic school and community programs, practical education, resources, and youth recognition.
—KidsMatter