ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Homeless and parentally insecure students will receive mentoring, school supplies and other support through a grant from the John F. Wegman Fund at the Rochester Area Community Foundation, which has designated $10,000 to advance the work of Spirit NYS, a nonprofit organization active in the Rochester City School District. “We are very thankful for this funding, because it will enable us to enroll six additional students into our program,” said John Thompson, board chair of Spirit NYS. “We know that without intervention, 60% of this category of students are likely to drop out, and our mission is to get them to graduation and launched toward successful lives.” In just one year since its founding, Spirit NYS has helped 40 RCSD students, 20 of whom graduated. Some have won awards, including the New York State Attorney General’s Triple C Award for courage, character and commitment, as well as Susan B. Anthony Awards for Outstanding Young Women in the Rochester City School District.“ We know that these students feel invisible, and in many ways, hopeless in their situations,” said Thompson. “These teens are trying to survive without the benefit of a continuous supportive relationship with a parent or legal guardian. But through our program in the school district, they get motivated when they learn that someone cares. That moves us to want to do more,” he concluded.

About Spirit NYS:

Founded in 2021, Spirit NYS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to dropout prevention—helping homeless high school teens who are on their own. As an all-volunteer organization, all donated funds go directly to support the students. Spirit NYS supports students in three city schools, including Edison Career and Technology High School, Franklin High School and Northeast Preparatory High School. For more information, please visit Spiritnys.org.

About the John F. Wegman Fund:

The John F. Wegman Fund was established in 1953 by John F. Wegman’s will. Since 1964, the John F. Wegman Fund has focused on new or experimental programs for a limited period of time. Membership of the committee established by the will includes members of the Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant faith communities, the United Way of Greater Rochester, and organized labor. The John F. Wegman Fund is not affiliated with the Wegmans stores or with the Wegman Family Charitable Foundation. John F. Wegman Fund grants are administered through the Rochester Area Community Foundation. 

About the RACF: 

Rochester Area Community Foundation engages philanthropists and community partners to improve our eight-county region by promoting philanthropy that helps to create an equitable community and strengthen our region’s vitality. Since 1972, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $550 million in grants and scholarships. For more information, visit www.racf.org.

Author: Jeffrey Halik