SHARE 2004: Student Volunteer Service Programming

Bev Timmons (Founder), Linda Johnson and Ann Isenberg (Parent Executive Board)

• $15,000 — Provide three-year commitment for staff and operations support for 1,800 students involved in community volunteerism program. SHARE offers all students the opportunity to learn through voluneer experiences, to develop leadership skills and to become better prepared for life's real challenges. ($15,000 total grant distributed over three years, $5,000 per year) Funds to be used to support staff and operations during a restructuring period.
• SHARE impacts 1,800 SME students annually and countless children and families in the metropolitan area.
• SHARE develops and nurtures numerous leadership and life skills by providing students opportunities to learn through volunteerism

SHARE is the largest organization at SME with 1,800 students participating during the 2004-2005 school year. SHARE offers all students the opportunity to learn through volunteer experiences, to develop leadership skills and to become better prepared for life’s real challenges. SHARE is dedicated to starting students on a life long path of giving back to their community through service. SHARE has had to respond to changing times and events.

Prior to her retirement in 2003, school nurse Bev Timmons ran SHARE for 16 years Her time and commitment were voluntary and she was not compensated by the organization. With her retirement, a new structure had to be implemented. As a result, paid staff has been hired to assure that the program continues to be professionally administrated and accessible during school hours for students at SME.

SHARE has received impressive funding commitments from many foundations in the Kansas City Community as well as the SME PTA. SHARES’ annual operating budget is $127,500 (includes Habitat for Humanity house), which requires a major amount of fundraising each year. During the next three years, the SHARE organization will be evaluating its funding needs and structure.

SHARES’ goal is to become self-supporting and less reliant on external fundraising sources. SHARE requested a three-year financial commitment of support from The East Fund. Funds were used to offset operating costs and to help provide financial continuity over the following three years.

A second grant was awarded in spring 2008.

Grant awarded November 2004