Today we welcomed Weiss Scholarship Foundation founder Brett Weiss, who shared information about ending poverty through the Weiss Scholarship Foundation's efforts.
The Weiss Scholarship Foundation’s mission is to empower children in Kenya with the gift of education while we work to build a world where every child gets a great education. We have built a business model that we have begun to scale to help many more children. A key part of this model is we do much more than just pay school fees. We have a holistic model with trained staff on the ground who are totally engaged in the lives of our children to make sure where there to praise them on what they do well and help them to overcome the enormous challenges they face every day. Education is the only long-term, sustainable to solution to poverty. We are educating the students who will solve the problems Kenya, and the world face.
The Weiss Scholarship Foundation was created in memory of Bernard and Elsie Weiss. Both originate from the city of Chicago and grew up very poor during the Great Depression. In spite of their difficult circumstances, they worked hard to make sure their three sons had a great education—and therefore great lives. Bernard and Elsie were passionate about education and understood its importance in creating a successful life. That’s why Brett, their son, felt it was appropriate to begin this foundation in their memory. Inspired by Bernard’s and Elsie’s dedication and passion, we work each day to empower children by trying to create a world in which every child has the opportunity to receive a great education.
Brett spent twenty-three years in the software business, four years running a social services organization and eighteen years as a high school social studies teacher. In 2009 he made a volunteer trip to Kenya and spent most of three weeks in the tiny village of Dago. Little did he know then that these kind and hard-working people would become a major part of his life. In 2012 he created the Weiss Scholarship Foundation. In 2017 Brett "retired" so he could devote full time to this work. Brett has spent a lifetime studying how the developed world has been trying to help the third world and was frustrated that despite all of the money that was spent, not much really had changed. The Mission of WSF is to End Poverty and the only way we can do this is to make sure every student gets at least a high school education. To date WSF has already awarded 182 scholarships. WSF also has 7 staff people on the ground in Kenya whose job is to do everything possible to help our students be successful. WSF divides all money equally between girls and boys. Brett wrote a book about this work called, "Just Give Them A Hug...And The Rest Is Easy". It is available on Amazon. Brett and his wife Christine are the parents of two and grandparents of three. Brett is a member of The Rotary Club of Naperville, Illinois.
For more details about Weiss Scholarship Foundation visit: www.weissscholarshipfoundation.org
Today we inducted two new Elkhart Rotarians!
Dr. Patrick Russell, sponsored by Dr. Larry Knight and Chris Cossin, sponsored by Dr. Tom Neat, were inducted by Membership Chair Eric Garton and President Julie Cotton. Please welcome Patrick and Chris and get to know them in the weeks ahead.
Running List of Rotary Event Announcements
Rotarians are an integral and engaged part of our active community! Here’s a list of upcoming events represented by Rotarians from the Elkhart Rotary Club. If you’d like more information, contact the Rotarian listed for the event or email elkhartnoonrotary@gmail.com and your message will be forwarded to them. Are you a Rotarian with an event to share? Put it in the format below and email to Eric Garton, he’ll add it to the list.
- Thursday, March 21, at 5 p.m. Thirsty Thursday - come enjoy a drink and fellowship with fellow Rotarians and guests. Come on, come all, drop in at 5 or later. Location this month: TBD. Contact: Peter Norton
- Friday, May 3, early afternoon time TBD. Celebration of Life for Richard "Dick" Brotherson at First Presbyterian Church followed by Open House at Wellfield Botanic Gardens. Dick was a 55-year Rotarian and loved Wellfield Botanic Gardens. Contact Eric Garton.
- Early May, 2024. In September, Rotarian Carl Dickerson of Dickerson Literacy Initiatives presented a program at the club about a project in Costa Rica in cooperation with Peace Corps volunteers to distribute books in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. Rotarians have distributed books in recent years in connection with eye clinics from IU and the Goshen Rotary Club. We are considering doing a trip to Costa Rica in early May that would distribute books in connection with five Peace Corps volunteers and also distribute eyeglasses that will be made for people from a February 2024 eye clinic trip. If you wish to support such a trip or travel with the group, contact either Doug Risser or Ashley Bowen for more information.
Important Information and Upcoming Deadlines:
- J & K KISSINGER AWARD NOMINATION FORM Deadline for Submission to elkhartnoonrotary@gmail.com: Mar 29, 2024. The J & K Kissinger Award was created in 1989 by District 6540's then-Governor William H. Heinhuis to commemorate the Rotary life and service of John M. (Jack) Kissinger, a member of the Elkhart Rotary Club who served as District Governor during the 1963-1964 Rotary year.
- ELKHART ROTARY CLUB - Grant Request Information and Guidelines 2024 As part of its mission of “Service above Self”, the Elkhart Rotary Club provides an opportunity for financial support for programs benefiting the Elkhart County community. Requests for donations/grants will be accepted by email until the end of day Monday, April 1, 2024. Grants normally range from $500-$1000. However, the Donations Committee will consider applications of exceptional merit requesting larger amounts. Funding of approved grants will occur Monday, June 17, 2024 at a regularly scheduled club meeting.
Did you know our Club Sponsors a scholarship for Elkhart High School students?
We established an Endowed Fund with the Community Foundation of Elkhart County in 2023 which will help grow our funds for the future, guaranteeing the continuation of the scholarship initiative. Why? Giving to the Community Foundation’s Elkhart Rotary Club Scholarship fund will make a difference now and the kindness will continue into the future. What are the benefits of giving to our Elkhart Rotary Club Scholarship Fund? The Community Foundation of Elkhart County will match gifts by 25% made to the Rotary Scholarship Endowed Fund. Your $100 gift will really be $125! And it’s tax deductible!
Download the instructions or CLICK HERE to donate!
Download the instructions or CLICK HERE to donate!