DIRECTOR’S REPORT I am currently in possession of an antique yellow quilt that has been passed back and forth between my mother, my daughter and myself. It’s often hidden to be found at times when needed the most -- an instant comfort, a hug when arms aren’t available. I love quilts but I can’t sew a lick, at least not in the traditional 4-H sense. Yet my colleagues and I are blessed to work for an organization that has become exceptionally good at examining the fabric of community and sewing together the gaps between need and generosity. Together with a dedicated Board of Directors, inspiring community partners and benevolent donors, we are starting to see threads of hope and partnership unfold into a stronger, better, Whitley County. In 2021, we marked a full year into our collaborative work on Next Level Whitley County , a strategic community framework created to target reduced recidivism in our jail as well as increased access to quality mental healthcare; decreased childhood trauma; much-needed vocational training and eventually, a more highly skilled workforce. It’s ambitious and it’s working. As a community we’re turning a corner that embraces meeting people where they are and addressing immediate needs. We’ve entered into trust based philanthropy with partners like Mission 25 who utilized $475,000 in Next Level funding to procure three apartment buildings for transitional housing. We’ve stood behind the Whitko Career Academy as over 400 high school students embraced career pathways in 2021. Equally important were the six men from Community Corrections that completed evening classes at WCA and received certifications that hold the promise of a better future for their families. Unprecedented collaboration with government leaders has us looking ahead to an improved jail system built on a therapeutic community model. In addition, our work has led to expanded mental health services such as the Parkview Behavioral Health offices that opened to the public in 2021. The community’s Next Level Whitley County work could not have unfolded were it not for the organizational stability and sustainability that comes from maturation. We celebrated our 30th anniversary in 2021 -- a testament to generous people, past and present, who chose the Community Foundation as their partner in fulfilling their charitable intent. A debt of gratitude is owed to them as well as to the professional advisors who suggested the foundation as a vehicle to help donors meet their philanthropic goals. We believe we’ve earned their trust through a strong sense of fiduciary responsibility, transparency and thoughtful grant making. And speaking of grant making, since its inception in 1991, the Community Foundation of Whitley County has granted in excess of $30 million dollars to non-profit organizations and projects serving Whitley County. We closed 2021 with 195 endowment funds under our management. Included in that list were new scholarships, a fund established to benefit Whitley County K-9 officers and therapy dogs, and another fund created to support organizations advancing the quality of life for individuals in our community who have physical disabilities. With each charitable gift, a strong, new thread is woven into the fabric of community and for that, we offer our profound appreciation.
Strands of hope and new beginnings unfolded as Whitko Career Academy and Whitley County Community Corrections teamed to help six adults receive certifications in CNC. The program is made possible through Next Level Whitley County .
September McConnell, CEO Community Foundation of Whitley County
2 2021 Annual Report
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Community Foundation of Whitley County
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