Teen Reach

Teen Reach Adventure camp is a camp for teenagers, ages 12-15, who are currently in the foster care system. The three-day camp is staffed by volunteers who donate their time and energy to these kids, providing hope and changing lives, one person at a time. Campers have fun participating in outdoor activities, arts and crafts, along with opportunities to develop leadership and team building skills.

“Teen Reach Adventure Camp wants to congratulate the Hastings Community Foundation for 30 years of contribution to the Hastings community. Thank you for your support for T.R.A.C. by providing scholarships to at-risk youth in our community to attend camp.”

– Joni Schlatz, Co-Director, Child Placement Coordinator of T.R.A.C.

Hastings Literacy Program

GRADUATION DAY!

The Hastings Literacy Program provides GED test preparation classes to adults in Adams County and the surrounding area. Many of the students are immigrants to this country and are non-native speakers of English. Many other students have never completed their high school education. Once the staff determines a student is ready to take their GED test the next hurdle may be the cost–$120.00! For the last 4 years, the Hastings Community Foundation has provided GED Test Scholarships to the program.

“We are able to use those funds to motivate students to earn their GED and possibly remove a financial obstacle that is standing in their way of a successful and productive future.”

– Ann Cannon, Adult Education Coordinator

Chautauqua 2016: World War I, Legacies Of A Forgotten Wa

One of the most valuable assets of the Hastings community is the Hastings Community Foundation because it is all about community.

“The 2016 Chautauqua says so much about the value that the Hastings Community Foundation places on the people of this area. There is no doubt that Chautauqua 2016 would not have become the major “happening” of the summer without the initial commitment of financial support from the Hastings Community Foundation. It provided the assurance that allowed the local Chautauqua committee to commit to exciting, engaging educational programming that would come to involve a multitude of local organizations and community volunteers, all successfully working together. This is a prime example of how the Hastings Community Foundation finds ways to bring people in this community together; and people working together provide this community with remarkable experiences—the 2016 Chautauqua being one of the finest.”

– Betty Kort, Co-chair Chautauqua 2016

4-H Saddle Up Club

One of Dr. Jack Yost’s passions was the 4-H Therapeutic Riding Club. This club was formed so that children with challenges could benefit from the therapeutic effects of horseback riding, as well as learning about the horses and how to care for them. Some of the benefits of therapeutic riding include improving balance, strengthening various muscles, and building self-confidence.

After Dr. Yost’s passing, his family, knowing his passion for the program, set up a fund with the Hastings Community Foundation, in memory of their dad. The Saddle Up Club Fund helps to offset the costs of these specially trained horses, their care, tack, and maintenance. What a nice legacy for Dr. Yost.

The Lark

The Lark is a performance and event space in downtown Hastings. In addition to being home the beloved Listening Room Concert Series, The Lark develops in-house arts programming and hosts visiting organizations as well as a variety of community and family meetings and events.

In the Fall of 2011, The Listening Room Board of Directors was exploring the possibility of renovating a vacant building in the heart of downtown Hastings. The Community Foundation heard of our plans and offered help finding a donor that could help us “jump start” our capital campaign. They connected us to Dr. Lloyd ( Sandy ) Ellis and his wife Eva, who are interested in music and historical renovations. It was the perfect fit and I enjoyed talking many times, long-distance, with Sandy and Eva, telling them our plans to save this beautiful building and fill it with music !!!

“The money we received from the Jeffrey Wallace Ellis Foundation via the Hastings Community Foundation, combined with other local gifts gave us the foundation we needed to brave a $1 million capital campaign. We are very grateful. Our beautiful performance space is named in honor of Idilla Jeffrey Wallce and Lura Lou Wallace Ellis.”

– Robin Harrell. Director