Welcoming 2019 as We Reflect on 2018

We wish everyone a warm welcome into 2019!

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This past year has brought us much joy and growth- from accepting a new ambassador class, to meeting our Twenty-five Grant Initiative with 10 local Red Hook grants and 15 grants through our ambassador network, to increasing our total charitable giving to $165,000 total (see short explanations of all the grants here) - and we're excited to see what this year holds. We thank you all for being a part of a successful year.

Throughout 2018 we were able to foster stronger bonds with organizations we have been working with for several years now, as well as begin some new partnerships. We're constantly amazed and uplifted by the volunteer work being done in Red Hook and across the country by our ambassadors. It keeps us going!

Our year-end celebration took place at The Elmendorph Inn in Red Hook on Dec. 23rd, a brunch of some 25 ambassadors and directors. Everyone gathered with a thankful spirit for our common Red Hook bonds and passion to provide opportunities for those in need. We took the opportunity to introduce our new Ambassador Class of 2019, as well. They are: Tessa Rothwell (RHHS '19), Emily Appenzeller (RHHS '18), Elizabeth Ricci (RHHS '15), Erica Mansfield (RHHS '14), Iana Robitaille (RHHS '11), Fatima Ismail (RHHS '11), and Rohan Parikh (RHHS '05). 

We welcome the challenges of 2019 from maintaining communications with an ever expanding pool of ambassadors to our local outreach in developing long range goals. Best Wishes in your outlook, as well!

Ali, Brittany, Nick, Barbara, & Sophie 

Your AFF Directors

25 Grant Initiative Update

12 Grants Funded so far!

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Did you know about our twenty-five grant initiative? This year, one of the goals of the foundation is to fund twenty-five grants before the end of the grant cycle. As of today, the foundation has funded twelve of these grants!

The grants have been provided through local grant partnerships here in the Red Hook area, as well as through our ambassador networks across the country. Our grant cycle continues over the holiday season, so stay tuned for more updates in the coming weeks.

Here are the programs we provided funding to so far:

If you or or someone you know is working near the greater Red Hook Community on projects related to programs that support elder care needs, educational pursuits for the underserved, or poverty alleviation, we encourage you to apply for funding! Click the link below for an application and email us at ascienzofamilyfoundation@gmail.com with any questions!

Giving Tuesday 2018- Nourish Your Neighbor

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Giving Tuesday is almost upon us, but we have more work to do before then! This year two of our ambassadors have been hard at work on our Nourish Your Neighbor (NYN) campaign, trying to create a healthier food drive for the community. We kicked NYN off with a No-Cost Farmer’s Market on Nov. 10th, and will be collecting items for the food drive until Nov. 27th. For every item donated, we will match with $1. The goal is 10,000 items and $10,000, and we can’t do it without all of you!

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Last year we ran a similar matching campaign, and members of the Red Hook community donated over 5,500 non-perishable items, with the AFF donating $3,250 to the RHFA to support local families during the holiday season. We hope to be able to provide more items and food vouchers this season, and donate healthier items as well!

 

Garden Club- Grant Profile

In the garden, we grow more than fruits, flowers and vegetables; we grow bodies, minds, and spirits!

– Kaitlin Doherty, Mill Road Garden Teacher

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This past May, the AFF approved a three year grant to the Garden Club, specifically for garden supplies and educational programs that are hosted at the Mill Road Community Garden. The garden serves as an outdoor classroom for students in the elementary school. Students learn everything from seasonal eating, to plant life cycles, to seed saving, to composting. The garden has been used by many different ages groups, and for activities such as after-school garden club, flex classes, science classes, and engineering design classes. The Garden Club has also started programming to transform the space into a tranquil place for mindfulness and meditation, specifically to help students with social-emotional issues.

We’re so excited to be a part of this program. This grant was one of six we’ve funded so far in 2018, as part of our 25 Grant Initiative. Amy Parrella and the Mill Road Garden Committee sent us this wonderful picture of a hand-painted thank you note that students helped create! How beautiful!