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Simply Destinee Receives Community Foundation Grant For Dance Studio

July, 2016 (Aurora, Il) – Simply Destinee Youth Program is dancing for a cause. Simply Destinee encourages all youth, no matter economic status, to grow thru free dance classes and community performances which provides positive image and self-esteem.

In June 2016, the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley approved a grant of $5,300 to support Simply Destinee’s capital needs. This April 2016, Simply Destinee Youth Program relocated to 416 High Street, the Luxemburg building, in a space that was previously a boxing club. The location allows direct, easy access for the kids and families along with free parking, and flexible space to allow for additional programming as the youth center expands. With the relocation, there are several items needed to make the space safe, functional and inviting for classes ranging for 40-60 kids, plus their parents.

“We are so grateful for these grant dollars to help make our new home welcoming to all our students and families. This grant really helps. ” says Marty Luna, co-founder and director of the program.

This grant will be used to obtain 3 additional portable glassless dance mirrors to allow more children to view themselves performing, an outdoor bike rack, 4 outdoor security cameras to provide additional security for children coming to practice, and possibly upgrades to their sound system along with moveable partitions to provide private space for their new (used) computer lab.

 

About Simply Destinee:

Simply Destinee is a 501c3 non-profit youth program in memory of Destinee A. Oliva. Co-founders Marty Luna and his sister, Liza Oliva are dedicated to caring for Aurora’s most vulnerable youth, inspiring positive development in their lives, families, and communities, helping overcome challenges such as abuse, neglect and homelessness. Simply Destinee believes all kids deserve to feel safe, healthy and ready to learn.

Simply Destinee is committed to providing the community-based support for the at-risk youth which they need to succeed. Simply Destinee provides dance classes and performed in more than 25 community performances promoting anti-bullying and suicide prevention. To learn more, volunteer, and or donate, contact Simply Destinee call 331-643- 6001 or visit www.simplydestinee.com

About the Community Foundation:

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a non-profit, tax-exempt, philanthropic organization that administers individual charitable funds from which grants and scholarships are distributed to benefit the citizens of the Greater Aurora Area, the TriCities and Kendall County, Illinois.  Founded in 1948, the Foundation provides a simple and powerful approach to charitable giving. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations have the opportunity to custom design their own named funds that reflect their charitable goals and interests. Since its inception, the Community Foundation has grown to more than $75 million in assets and has awarded more than $60 million in grants and scholarships.  For more information on the Foundation, visit www.CommunityFoundationFRV.org.

Being a part of the Community Foundation scholarship committee is the highlight of my year. For many, a scholarship from the CFFRV is the reason they are able to continue reaching for their dreams and changing the future of our world. I hope each recipients knows just how inspirational they are to those of us who are lucky enough to read their stories.

Jessica Breugelmans

Scholarship Committee Member and Board Member

YEP was a great experience to have in high school. I became a more confident person, someone with a lot more perspective. Coming from a small school, YEP allowed me to branch out into my community, meet students from other schools, and learn about their backgrounds. I made some great friends and still keep in touch with them today.

Abby Vagnoni

YEP Alumni

Grant funds from the Community Foundation helped provide updated technology. These upgrades were transformative. By creating new time saving processes, it turned us into a more efficient organization.

Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry

Grantee

YEP has made me realize the importance of being involved in my community, and how to make a difference. There are a lot of problems in the world but if we can do everything that we can to help the world will become a better place. YEP has helped me realize this and encouraged me to help more people in the future.

Madi Porter

YEP Member

Give your gift of time and see what it means to the people you impact. Helping others is what life is all about.

Neal Ormond

Donor & Fund Advisor

I am incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Zari Foundation Scholarship and the Community Foundation in supporting my education. I am majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace engineering at the Rose-Hulman Institue of Technology. In my spare time, I volunteer on campus, in the community and I’m also the principal violist in the symphony orchestra. I hope to make an impact on the next chapter of space exploration by eventually working at a groundbreaking aerospace company such as SpaceX or NASA.

Taytum Newell

Albert M. Zari Scholarship Recipient

Education is important to us. We support causes that touch our lives and align with our values. We believe in paying it forward. We are here for a short time,, and it is the next generation that will take on what we leave behind.

Michelle Emanuel

Donor and Past Scholarship Recipient

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

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