The initiative is a planned $5 million investment to address the Greater Cincinnati region’s skills gap and prepare today’s youth for high-demand careers. It includes construction of a 9,200 square foot Skilled Trades Center and corresponding investments in program development, staffing, and operations over the next five years.

The facility will be open year-round and will offer opportunities for hands-on learning in key trades including welding, automotive work, metalworking/plumbing, carpentry/woodworking, electricity/electronics, and robotics. 

Through industry partnerships, Dan Beard Council will engage local corporations to provide sponsorships, mentorship, and direct training opportunities to participating youth, ultimately leading to job placements for those who seek them, establishing a clear pathway from training to employment and helping students make informed decisions about their careers.

More information is available at www.danbeard.org.

Grants made in April:

The Carnegie, $25,000.  Arts Integration programming benefits over 14,000 K-12 students at about 20 schools, providing curriculum and instruction in music, visual arts, dancing and drama; professional development for classroom teachers; supplemental lesson plans; and support.

Cincinnati Art Museum, $50,000.   Family Learning at the Museum includes the Rosenthal Education Center, Baby Tours, REC Reads, CAM Kids Day, Summer Camp, the 10x10 Teen Art Expo as well as Art Together, Family Studio, and Create Plus for artmaking at all ages.

Cincinnati Boychoir, $25,000.  Three choral ensembles for boys Grades 3-12 perform over 20 concerts and at the choir’s annual festival each season.  As part of a new alliance with the May Festival, ensembles have become tuition-free, removing financial barriers to participation.

Cincinnati Nature Center, $30,000.  The Nature For All youth education program serves children ages 5-13 and provides a connection to nature and field trip program for more than 6,000 students and 350 teachers. 

Cincinnati Works, $30,000.  The Next Generation Workforce Development Program assists at risk young adults in identifying their strengths and skills, and then moving forward with specific goals and strategies toward employment and economic self-sufficiency.

Camp Joy Foundation, $30,000.  Underserved youth camp programming offers young people the opportunity to develop essential life skills, enhance self-esteem, elevate well-being, foster leadership and develop social skills, nurture self-identity, build resilience and increase academic exposure.  Camp Joy partners with over 25 local children’s advocacy agencies.

People Working Cooperatively, $50,000.  The Student Service Program provides supervision and resources in leveraging the time contribution of nearly 200-300 young philanthropist volunteers as they provide home repair and yard maintenance services for low income, elderly households in Greater Cincinnati.

Price Hill Will/MyCincinnati, $25,000.  The MYCincinnati program uses music to promote social change and youth development in Price Hill through a free, daily orchestra program for students during the school year.  The free four-week summer camp program serves about 50 young people and will feature a joyful performance for the entire Price Hill community.

Salvation Army, $20,000.  The Five-Star rated Learning Center is a Monday through Friday early childhood program that serves children ages six months to 12 years.  The Center provides care for children and assists in educating families in Price Hill and adjacent communities about healthy child development.  

Scouting America Dan Beard Council 438, $100,000.  First of three grants.  See above.

St. Vincent de Paul - Cincinnati, $35,000.  The Beds for Cincinnati Children program provides free beds to children from vulnerable families.  Children are often sharing beds with parents and siblings, or in some cases, sleeping on the floor.

Women Helping Women, $25,000.  The Prevent & Empower program for students aged 7th-12th grade is an evidence-based curriculum that increases youth's social emotional learning by exploring boundaries, healthy relationships, and identifying unhealthy behaviors. Power-based violence among youth has been on the rise.  Over 5,000 students will benefit from the program.

WordPlay Cincy, $20,000.  The Amplified Youth Voices project provides students to be immersed in a strength- and asset-based culture where they are inspired to continue self-growth and artistic mastery while honing the skills to determine their unique paths forward in life.

YMCA - Great Miami Valley, $25,000.  Support to reduce the participation cost for children with special needs in a seven-week baseball program at the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields in Fairfield.

The Dater Foundation makes grants to non-profit organizations in the Greater Cincinnati area to carry out programs that benefit young people and focus in the areas of arts/culture, education, healthcare, social services and other community needs.  Information about the grantmaking process and guidelines and links to an online grant application website are available at www.DaterFoundation.org.

The private foundation was established by fourth-generation Cincinnatian, businessman and philanthropist Charles Dater (1912-1993) to ensure that his resources would continue to fund worthwhile community programs after his death.  The foundation has made more than 3,800 grants totaling over $80 million since its inception in 1985.

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For additional information regarding this news release, contact Roger Ruhl (513/598-1141).

The Charles H. Dater Foundation, Inc. is located at 700 Walnut Street, Suite 301, Cincinnati, OH 45202.