Not many of the 17 or so South Valley Middle School students huddled in Room C-1 for a brainstorm session knew what the term “philanthropy” meant prior to being selected by school counselors for the inaugural Youth and Philanthropy Club.
They do now thanks to the cooperative efforts of Latino Family Fund de Gilroy committee members including co-chairs Edwin and Delia Diaz, South Valley Principal Anisha Munshi and counseling staff.
“The fact that they chose me was very overwhelming,” said 13-year-old eighth-grader Julissa Lopez. “I have learned that giving back to the community is very important. To me, (philanthropy) means giving back to those who were there to give to you.”
For fellow eighth-grader Ann Duran, 14, who joined the group a little after they started back in late October, philanthropy is something she is still learning. However, the passion in her voice when speaking of the group’s mission shows it has already sunk in.
“Once I got an idea of what they were doing, I became more and more engrossed and excited about it,” Duran said. “I feel like I’m really involved. It has motivated me to take on leadership—that one person can make a change.”
Fellow students said they agreed.
“It makes me feel good,” said 14-year-old eighth-grader Giselle Mendoza. “Giving back to people in need who have less than us is a good thing to do.”
South Valley counselors Lilia Cisneros and Claudia Valencia intentionally chose students who showed potential for being leaders but were inactive in school clubs or athletic teams.
“It’s been a great experience to see these kids grow into leadership roles,” said Cisneros, school counselor at South Valley. “Just a little push: We knew they had it in them. They proved us right. They were able to come out of their shell.”
The club’s mission is to research and learn about local community organizations, come up with a list of five finalists and agree on which one candidate gets a $500 donation, allocated to the South Valley student group from the Latino Family Fund.
“We want to instill in them the importance of giving back to the community,” said former Gilroy Unified School District superintendent Edwin Diaz who has taken the lead in the new program also designed to build leadership, confidence and college aspirations in students. “It’s proven that students who are active in school are more likely to attend college.”
Instead of allowing these promising students to possibly slip through the cracks of the public education system, they are being given a unique outlet through the Latino Family Fund, a donor-advised fund under the Gilroy Foundation umbrella.
“I can see all the potential in each and every one of you—and the growth,” said committee member Ernie Olivares as he addressed the club during their hour-long session.
Local students first designed a grant application process and informed six local organizations that supported either animal protection, homelessness or senior citizens. Five of six organizations contacted submitted applications, and of those, club members selected two finalists: Operation Freedom Paws and the Compassion Center. Each organization then gave presentations before the students rendered their final decision.
“It was very complicated because (both organizations) were all very well-deserving,” said Julissa, who helped the club poll the rest of the student body to see what organization the majority felt was the most deserving of the grant money.
In the end, the group of young, aspiring philanthropists chose Operation Freedom Paws, which trains and matches dogs with disabled clients, most of whom are war veterans. Operation Freedom Paws annually serves between 50 to 60 clients per year.
What tipped the scales for a majority of the students was Operation Freedom Paws’ work with helping war veterans “since they protect us and gave us so much,” Julissa said. “We just wanted to give something back to them.”
Olivares shared with the students, who will be part of an April 16 awards presentation at Union Bank in Gilroy, that the organization plans to use the $500 so their clients, along with their service dogs, an get acquainted and enjoy a day at Gilroy Gardens. He is also hoping the students can join them for that special occasion to witness their philanthropic efforts in action.
“These are students who fly under the radar,” Munshi said. “For all of us, the amazing thing was watching the students when they were picking which agency was going to get the grant money … we have seen a transformation of these students.”
That transformation has ingrained a philanthropic mindset in each of them. It also gives the group a head start in filling a new Gilroy Unified School District graduation requirement that all high school students must complete a minimum of 80 hours of community service.
“I want to join more clubs and help the community in different ways,” Duran said.
So, without any direction from Diaz and the rest of their adult mentors, the student group decided to start another fundraiser to make a donation to Compassion Center.
Diaz said that instead of just awarding $500 to Operation Freedom Paws, students decided on their own to fundraise for the group that came in second.
“We’re so proud of the kids,” Diaz said.
At the club’s March 27 meeting, students weren’t shy about speaking up as they worked through various ways to raise funds and garner donations for the Compassion Center, a homeless shelter located at 8425 Monterey Road in Gilroy, organizers said. They agreed on hosting a carnival-style event at a date yet to be determined.
The Youth and Philanthropy Club will continue at South Valley as part of a three-year agreement with the Hispanic Family Fund, but “if it proves successful, we may try to expand into other schools,” Diaz said.
More information
For more information on the Hispanic Family Fund, the Gilroy Foundation at (408) 842-3727.
