DARKE COUNTY – Lydia Schaurer Memorial Trust has continued supporting Empowering programs with a significant grant this year. The foundation has supported Empowering Darke County Youth since the organization’s inception in 2016.
“We are extremely appreciative to the Trust for its support over the years,” said Bob Robinson, Executive Director of the Darke County tutoring organization. The Lydia Schaurer Foundation actively supports a variety of programs in Darke County, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Darke County Friends of the Shelter, Darke County Center for the Arts, and more.
Empowering Darke County Youth has provided over 20,000 hours of academic support to more than 1,000 Darke County students through a variety of programs, including After School Programs, Summer and Library tutoring, and recently due to the pandemic, Empowering Distance tutoring.
“Our After School programs are currently in three school districts,” Robinson said. “Greenville City, Ansonia Local, and Arcanum-Butler Local. We also hope to be able to resume our Summer Tutoring programs that had to be cancelled last summer.”
As restrictions have begun to ease and parents have become a little more comfortable, Empowering After School tutoring programs have begun to grow dramatically.
“Due to continued safe practices, of which social distancing is a part, we can only accept students that have been recommended by District teachers and administrators,” Robinson added. “Parents have almost universally agreed and we have pretty much maxed out our available resources.
“We need help. In addition to our tutors, we use supervised Edison State Community College and local high school volunteers to help struggling youth from grades two through eight. The need far exceeds our ability to provide it. If you can help, either financially or with your time, we need you!”
Find out more about Empowering programs at www.empowerdarkecounty.com or email empoweringyouth101@gmail.com. Empowering Darke County Youth is also on Facebook. Written communication or donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 1113, Greenville 45331.
The Empowering Mission: Empowering Darke County Youth is a 501c3 United Way Partner Agency providing After School and Summer Tutoring programs to assist students in the areas of reading, language arts and math with the goal of Strong Students for a Strong Community.
Photo: Empowering’s latest After School Program is at Arcanum-Butler Middle School, where teaching staff focus on students in grades 5-8.