August grants develop leadership skills

August grants develop leadership skills

Sep 20, 2024 | General interest, Kiwanis Children's Fund, News, Service projects | 0 comments

Four clubs received grants for outstanding youth leadership development projects.

By Erin Chandler

This August, the Kiwanis Children’s Fund awarded club grants to a remarkable 32 clubs serving communities around the world. Out of those projects, some of the most distinctive focused on the Kiwanis cause of youth leadership development by fostering young people’s creative independence. The following four projects exemplify different ways Kiwanis projects can guide the next generation on the path to becoming future leaders. 

CleanUP Community
Kiwanis Club of Craiova, Romania
The Kiwanis Club of Craiova is addressing Romania’s struggles with waste management, especially recycling, by getting the next generation involved. A Kiwanis Children’s Fund grant will help purchase materials for seminars and workshops to educate kids from age six through 18 on environmental issues. The grant also will go toward supplies for conservation activities in which local children can participate with other members of their community, such as recycling drives, cleanups and community gardens. The ultimate goal of the CleanUP Community project, though, is to give young people the means to become advocates and leaders, developing their own plans and strategies to improve waste management in their community. Within a year, the club hopes its community youth teams will develop at least one implementable plan and be ready to promote sustainable development goals. 

Creativ in die Lehre mit Kunst (Creative Teaching with Art)
Kiwanis Club of Lavanttal, Austria
A Kiwanis Children’s Fund grant will help the Kiwanis Club of Lavanttal purchase paints, brushes, canvas, ceramics and more to turn its community’s young people into artists. The Kiwanians are collaborating with a vocational school and a local artist to provide art classes for teens, including those with disabilities. Culminating in a public art exhibit to show off the students’ creations, these classes will allow the students to explore their artistic sides — with club members helping the students place their sculptures and other artworks in parks, gardens and other public places.   

Let’s Play! Leadership Training Program
Kiwanis Club of Melbourne, Florida, U.S.
Members of the Kiwanis Club of Melbourne noticed a lack of local accessible and affordable child development programs that focused on mental health for kids and families alike — and they decided to change that. Through the “Let’s Play!” program, the club will provide free programs at local libraries for kids ages 18 and younger and their caregivers. The programs will promote creativity, innovation and collaboration through activities like open-ended play, art projects and storytelling sessions. After working together to complete their projects, participants will reflect on their experiences through dialogue, drawing and writing. A grant from the Kiwanis Children’s Fund will help the Melbourne Kiwanians produce “how-to” videos, presentations and manuals to help other Kiwanis clubs and communities replicate “Let’s Play!” The club hopes to guide young people and families, regardless of income, to value play as a way of reducing anxiety and increasing understanding of their own and-w others’ creative abilities.  

Lifewise Program
Kiwanis Club of Wapakoneta, Ohio, U.S.
The Kiwanis Club of Wapakoneta’s Lifewise Program is geared toward at-risk adolescents between the ages of 16 and 18 who may be aging out of the foster system, not attending traditional schools or involved in the judicial system. Through a weekly series of six three-hour courses, club members hope to help these vulnerable young people graduate high school and prepare for the next steps in their lives. The courses will focus on basic cooking and cleaning skills, identifying risky situations, finding a job and achieving financial independence, basic auto knowledge, and dressing for success — with the sixth course serving as a culmination of the program. A Kiwanis Children’s Fund grant will go toward meals for instructors and participants at each course, as well as supplies the students can use during the courses and then take home with them. The entire Lifewise Program wraps up with a graduation ceremony to celebrate the participants’ achievements. 

More health and education projects
Other projects that received club grants in August include:  

  • A weekend food program from the Kiwanis Club of Hilliard, Ohio, U.S. 
  • Mental health care kits from the Kiwanis Club of Park Ridge, Illinois, U.S. 
  • A program to honor most-improved third-grade students from the Kiwanis Club of Opelousas, Louisiana, U.S. 
  • After-school tutoring from the Kiwanis Club of Shan Hsin, Taiwan. 
  • An inclusive playground from the Kiwanis Club of Lapeer, Michigan, U.S., and a musical instrument playground from the Kiwanis Club of Sycamore, Illinois, U.S. 
  • A recreation hour for children in the hospital from the Kiwanis Club of Granada-Meta, Colombia. 
  • A high school herbal garden from the Kiwanis Club of Greater Portmore, St. Catherine, Jamaica. 
  • Renovation and repairs at Shady Grove Basic School from the Kiwanis Club of 23 Central Surrey Online, Jamaica. 
  • Children’s swimming lessons from the Kiwanis Club of Rockaways, New York, U.S. 
  • Miracle League of Montgomery County inclusive baseball training and recruitment from the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda, Maryland, U.S. 
  • 2024 Signature Project Contest Group II Bronze-winning project “Kiwanis Cares for Kids,” providing supplies and experiences to local school children from the Kiwanis Club of Gig Harbor, Washington, U.S. 
  • Clothing, school and essential supply projects from the Kiwanis Clubs of Brigham City, Utah, U.S.; Fostoria, Ohio, U.S.; Hagerstown, Maryland, U.S.; Lenape Valley, New Jersey, U.S.; and North Shore, Long Island, New York, U.S.  
  • Holiday events from the Kiwanis Clubs of Bald Eagle and Nittany Valleys, Pennsylvania, U.S.; Petersburg, Virginia, U.S.; Providenciales, Florida, U.S.; and Sierra Vista-San Pedro, Arizona, U.S. 
  • Literacy projects from the Kiwanis Clubs of East Lansing, Michigan, U.S.; Hickory, North Carolina, U.S.; Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, U.S.; Richmond, Virginia, U.S.; The Rising Sun, Bahamas; and Siesta Key, Florida, U.S.  

How you can help
The Kiwanis Children’s Fund makes grants that improve the lives of children around the world by identifying projects that create a continuum of impact in a child’s life — one that spans their entire childhood and sets them up for a bright future. Through The Possibility Project, the Children’s Fund ensures that its grantmaking has the greatest possible impact, supporting projects that target the Kiwanis causes — health and nutrition, education and literacy, and youth leadership development — whether through a Kiwanis club’s local service project or a club’s partner. 

Learn how your club can apply for a grant to help kids in your community. If you are interested in extending your and your club’s impact beyond your community, make a gift in support of The Possibilty Project.  

7 ways to make people feel welcome

7 ways to make people feel welcome

Sep 17, 2024 | Club building, General interest, News, Service projects | 0 comments

For current and potential members alike, a few simple acts can let people know they belong. 

By Julie Saetre

Everyone Kiwanis member wants to feel welcome — regardless of how long they’ve been with their clubs. Potential members need to know they’re joining a group eager to work with newcomers. And existing members want to feel valued. These seven simple actions can go a long way toward making everyone feel respected: 

  • Consider your meeting location. Is your location convenient for all your members? Is it easy for newcomers to find? If not, seek out alternatives. You might also consider rotating meeting spots or adding a virtual option. 
  • Ask members about their meeting time preferences. Some schedules don’t allow for daytime gatherings; others make evening meetings difficult. Member availability also depends on whether weekends or weekdays work best. Again, flexibility is key. Perhaps varying meeting times or days will allow for more member participation. 
  • Respect people’s time. During your meetings, set an agenda and stick to it. If you say you will meet for an hour, don’t go past that. Also, make the most of the time you have. Don’t get bogged down in the minutiae that can be covered in a meeting with officers.  
  • Ask for input. When people feel heard, they feel welcome. Some people are outgoing and offer ideas and suggestions freely. Others might hesitate to speak up. Ask your less-vocal attendees to share their thoughts. Also let all members and guests know how to provide feedback outside of meetings; some might prefer one-on-one conversations or email/text.  
  • Make meeting minutes easily available. Every member will need to miss a meeting now and then, and you don’t want them to feel left out at the next one. Be sure they can catch up by ensuring minutes are written and distributed in a timely manner. It’s also a good idea to have minutes posted on your club’s website and/or linked in its social media accounts for the convenience of current members — and for those considering membership. 
  • Invite potential members to service events. What better way to be welcoming than to invite nonmembers to join you as you serve your community? When that invitation is accepted, make sure your guests feel valued and included. Ask members to introduce themselves and work alongside your guests during the project.  
  • Say thank you. Members and guests have a lot of options about how to spend their limited spare time. Let them know how much you appreciate them for their attendance, ideas, service and support.  
U.S. Kiwanian supports literacy abroad

U.S. Kiwanian supports literacy abroad

Sep 3, 2024 | General interest, Literacy, News, Service projects | 0 comments

Robin Handleman discusses her experience as a supporter of English-language literacy in Asia and beyond.

By Julie Saetre

Robin Handleman started serving her community when she was seven. As a member of the Girl Scouts of the USA, a youth organization in the United States, she and her fellow members worked on service projects in a variety of areas. Now a member of the Kiwanis Club of Rockville in Maryland, U.S., Handleman carries her commitment to service into countries in Asia and beyond. 

It started with a connection she made during a Kiwanis conference. Handleman was serving as an elected official on her local board of education when a friend on the town council invited her to a Kiwanis club meeting. As a result of that meeting, Handleman joined the club and soon was elected club secretary. 

A teacher for more than 40 years — including experience as a reading teacher, a Home Hospital teacher and a teacher of English as a Second Language (ESL) — Handleman has taught and tutored students who learn in unique ways for the last 26 years. Her Kiwanis involvement led to her current mission: She has made several trips to Asia to teach ESL, establish English-language libraries and offer a variety of other services, including training teachers on how to make their lessons more fun and interactive.  

Handleman’s most recent trip was from January to June 2024, when she volunteered in Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. She hosts Zoom meetings about her volunteer efforts and is busy raising funds to establish more English-language libraries in other countries.  

We asked Handleman a few questions to help share her experiences and to discuss what comes next. 

What was one of the highlights of this year’s trip to Asia?
This past March, I volunteered at the Kiwanis Children Centre, which is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Kuantan, Malaysia. It is a center for adults and children with varying abilities. That is the language I prefer, rather than children with special needs. I want to tell you what they can do instead of what they cannot do. 

The board of directors was thrilled with all the changes and improvements I made over the three weeks. To thank me for my volunteering efforts, they donated MYR2000 for my future volunteering projects. They hope other Kiwanis clubs will step up and donate as well. In their letter of recommendation to me, they stated: “To add a little wind to the wings of your volunteerism work, we would like to show our appreciation by paying forward MYR2000 for your future work. Thank you for being a conduit to deliver the contribution to where it’s needed most.” 

How did you become involved with service in Asia?
I went to a Kiwanis conference in Massachusetts. It was there that I met [the late] Binh Rybecki. She had received the Kiwanis Peace award. Her organization was Children of Peace International, or COPI. When she gave her acceptance speech, she said that she was always looking for teachers to be part of her humanitarian mission. The people at my table stood up, pointed to me and said that I was the teacher that she would want on her team. In 2006, I joined Binh on her mission in Vietnam. That was my first experience in Asia. 

Your first trip to Asia to teach ESL was in the fall of 2017. How did that opportunity come about?
I googled volunteer opportunities in Thailand. Why Thailand? I love Thai food! The Peace and Happiness Foundation came up, and I said to myself, “Who wouldn’t want to volunteer for a company named ‘Peace and Happiness Foundation?’” I saw they were looking for volunteers that were 25 to 40 years old. At the time I was 65, but I’ve always considered myself to be many years younger because of my enthusiasm and energy level. I did a WhatsApp video call with the head of the organization. She was impressed that I had 50 years of experience teaching English as a Second Language and teaching in general. She invited me to come volunteer.  

How did that experience go?
I was able to stay with one of the teachers in the school that I volunteered in. It was wonderful, because I was right in the village with the students, teachers and parents. I taught 27 first graders, and they were just too cute for words. I ended up staying there for two weeks. I was told I had an open invitation to come back whenever I wanted to because I was well received by the students and the school personnel. 

When did you decide to include establishing libraries as part of your ESL service?
From day one of volunteering in Asia, teaching English as a Second Language, the students loved the books I brought with me from America. I traveled with about 10 books. They especially enjoyed when I read to them. … They acted out the book by being the characters. Another activity they enjoyed was when I would bring brown lunch bags, and we would make puppets of the characters of the book. 

One of my advanced degrees is that of being a reading teacher. One morning I woke up, and the thought came to me about setting up libraries in the countries where I teach English. I asked my home club if I would have their support with this project. They said yes, and I knew I was on my way to having my dream come true. 

How many libraries have you set up?
I just completed the fifth library and eventually hope to set up three more. (I have volunteered in a total of 10 countries in Asia.) Presently there is one in Nepal, two in Sri Lanka, one in Malaysia, and the last one being in the Philippines. Many of the teachers follow me on Facebook. The number one question is, “Can we have more than one library in our country?” 

The reason why Sri Lanka was lucky to have two libraries was because the [head of the] shipping company that shipped the books from Maryland to Sri Lanka formerly lived in Sri Lanka. He was so excited that the children there were going to have this wonderful experience that he charged me a nominal fee for each box of books, so I was able to send double the amount of books, which then enabled me to set up two libraries. 

My intention is to complete three more libraries: in India, Pakistan and Cambodia.  

How has your Kiwanis family in Maryland supported your efforts?
None of these libraries could have happened if it wasn’t for the support I have from the Kiwanis clubs in Maryland and, most recently, one in Illinois. The first two libraries were supported by the Kiwanis Club of Westminster and the Kiwanis Club of Leisure World, Silver Spring, both in Maryland. My home club continues to pay for the shipping of the books from the port in Baltimore, Maryland, to Asia. The other Kiwanis clubs have made donations to my library for the last four years. This year, two more Maryland clubs joined to support my libraries: The Kiwanis Club of Wheaton-Silver Spring and the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda.   

In Indianapolis [Indiana, U.S.] I met a member from the Kiwanis Club of Kewanee, Illinois [U.S.]. We started chatting, and it was decided that I would do a Zoom meeting for her club. I was very pleased that they decided to make a donation toward my library in the Philippines. Thanks to technology, we connected, and the Kiwanis Club of Rosario la Union Managtulong, Philippines, was able to give the Kiwanis Club of Kewanee their certificate of appreciation on a Facebook Messenger video call. How awesome was that! 

I also have the support of friends and family, my Greater Federation of Women’s Club, and Books for International Goodwill, who continue to support my libraries as well.