Community members gathered at Foust Elementary School on Tuesday for the announcement of Impact 100’s Next Generation’s 2018 NextGen Finalists.
CASA and OASIS were the finalists chosen by the 102 NextGen members to receive a grand total of $10,200. The 2017-2018 members are from each high school in the community.
“We have had an average of 52 NextGen ladies participating in each learning session, social or site visit we have had,” NextGen chair Joy Carroll said. “The board has been impressed and honored to watch these young women as they develop a philanthropic spirit.”
Last week, NextGen made site visits to OASIS and the Daviess County Family Court for CASA.
“We were connecting young, impressionable minds with knowledge and experiences that can empower them to make a difference in our community. Their phones were down and their minds and hearts were open,” Carroll said of the NextGen members.
CASA’s project, titled “Family Court Children’s Room” requests the NextGen Impact to provide furnishings, decor and play equipment for children who are awaiting their case hearing in the Daviess County Family Court.
OASIS’s project, titled “Child Treatment Through Play” requests the NextGen Impact grant to purchase and install a new playground and bench inside the playground area at OASIS. The space will also be used by counselors for play therapy for children with PTSD.
“Our job as the NextGen board is to create a sense of community among these young women through engagement with local non-profits and to create a philanthropic spirit of giving back,” Carroll said.
The NextGen board consists of Joy Carroll, Elizabeth Griffith, Sarah Howard, Emmy Woosley, Amanda Owen and Jean Yewell. The board met with the members of NextGen over the summer to review grant applications from local non-profits.
“I have no doubt that these young ladies will be our Next Generation of philanthropic leaders in Owensboro. IMPACT 100 is extremely proud,” said Carroll.
Another meeting is scheduled for the NextGen members where the board will facilitate a discussion of the finalist’s site visits.
The final vote will be held at the Impact 100 Annual meeting on Oct. 25. NextGen finalists will present to the NextGen membership only and the young women will vote. They will then join the women of Impact 100 and the $10,200 NextGen grant will be announced before the Impact 100 winners are announced.
