The Murray State University nonprofit leadership studies program recently presented the 2023 Giving Back Endowment Student Philanthropy Award to the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club of Paducah in recognition of its ongoing efforts in youth development across their community.
The $3,000 grant will be utilized to support events for their "Smart Girls" and "Passport to Manhood" programs.
The grant is made possible by the Murray State University Giving Back Endowment , which is dedicated to advancing the understanding, appreciation and application of the principles of altruism, generosity, caring and service to others.
The student engagement initiative provides an opportunity to operate a comprehensive grant making process while studying giving, philanthropy and grant making.
NLS students conducted a community needs assessment and identified youth development programs as required by the GBE.
Applications were reviewed with the following types of guiding criteria: the scope and scale of youth development programming, the qualifications and experience of the volunteers and staff and financial health and sustainability.
After extensive deliberation and thorough review, the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club was selected in recognition of its commitment to youth development.
Students praised the application and the critical youth development work being done by the organization.
"It is especially inspiring to help an organization while taking this course, and I learned so much working together as a group to help such an important cause," said senior Cayley Utley of Huntington, Tennessee, who is an NLS major.
The Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club has been a positive force in the Paducah area for more than 60 years.
It began with a dream of Oscar M. Cross, a probation officer who wanted to see young men have the chance to prepare for their futures and obtain higher goals.
He made a commitment to keep youth off the streets, out of the juvenile justice system and to provide educational experiences that were not taught in the traditional classroom setting.
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