“I’m an optimist by nature and I’m gonna find a silver lining no matter what,” says Jake Moevao, Executive Director at SouthSide Youth Outreach. “This is a game-changing gift for our organization, and it will serve SSYO for generations to come.”
In 2021, a generous gift from the estate of Wilma E. Hull was left to BCF for the purpose of providing operational support to SouthSide Youth Outreach (SSYO). The organization provides after-school programming to kids from kindergarten through second grade and is located directly across from Lincoln Elementary School in South Corvallis. Even though COVID restrictions limited SSYO operations, staff focused on creating the enriching programming vital to connecting with students.
“Before COVID hit we were at our highest enrollment ever and we were scrambling to add new staff,” stated Anna Jennings, SSYO Program Manager since 2013. “The biggest challenge has been keeping up with the constantly changing guidelines, making sure the kids are distanced enough, and limiting the number of people we can serve in our physical space.”
Two years into the pandemic, this is a common refrain shared by nonprofits, who regularly adapt their operations to evolve with the pandemic. While constant change is challenging to the morale of any team, the recent gift is vindication that the program is valued by many.
“This will benefit our entire organization, whether we use it for building repairs or hiring additional staff,” says Jake. “Most importantly, it has lifted our team’s morale after a couple tough years of COVID.”
BCF is honored to be the stewards of this generous gift from Wilma E. Hull, and many others like her. From following through on a donor’s wishes, to helping families imagine the impact an estate gift can make, the Foundation is focused on lifting the spirits of our partners and the people they serve.