More than 180 individuals joined the Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation on April 20 to celebrate 13 years of teen philanthropy at the OJCYF annual benefit dinner. Forty-five teens from high schools around the metropolitan area participated in the program during this milestone year.
This year’s annual benefit dinner, which is unique among teen philanthropy programs, raised more than $40,000 for the youth board members to grant to worthy nonprofits in Oregon and Israel. The dinner also included a collaborative performance piece featuring OJCYF teens and members of Momentum Alliance, a Portland youth-led nonprofit that helps young people realize their power and mentors future social justice leaders.
OJCYF’s grant-making for this 13th year of the program totaled $49,627. This sum includes the funds raised at the annual benefit, two smaller grant cycles held prior to the dinner and a grant from the OJCF Endowment Fund supporting Neve Michael in Israel. For the second year in a row, a special paddle raise was held specifically for the OJCYF Endowment Fund; it raised an additional $1,250, bringing the endowment fund’s total to $18,300. OJCYF’s 14th year kicks off on Sept. 11.
Grants awarded to Jewish organizations in 2016 were: Camp Solomon Schechter, $300; Cedar Sinai Park, $450; Dror Israel Movement, $3,000; Greater Portland Hillel, $1,000; Hand in Hand, $2,500; Jewish Family & Child Service, $3,750; Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, $2,500; Maayan Torah Day School, $350; Mittleman Jewish Community Center, $200; Moishe House, $1,000; Neve Michael Children’s Village, $627; OJCYF Endowment Fund, $3,000; Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, $3,100; Portland Jewish Academy, $100; Portland Kollel, $1,250; and Portland State University Foundation – Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies, $3,500.
Grants awarded to general organizations in 2016 were: Bloom Project, $50; Camp Kesem, $1,000; CASA for Children, $500; Children’s Book Bank, $1,600; Children’s Center, $2,500; Community Transitional School, $3,000; Community Warehouse, $250; Metropolitan Youth Symphony, $200; Momentum Alliance, $2,400; Neighborhood House, $1,900; Pixie Project, $1,200; Raphael House, $1,000; Roosevelt High School, $1,000; Southwest Community Health Center, $3,000; and Urban Gleaners, $3,400.
For more information about OJCYF, contact Sonia Marie Leikam at soniamariel@ojcf.org or call 503-248-9328.
By Gail Mandel • Photo by Eden Swartz
