The St. Paul Friend of Youth Foundation
The St. Paul Friend of Youth Foundation 501(c)(3)
“You have made such a wonderful impact on my life and this opportunity will always be with me. I can’t thank you enough for doing what you do. …Nothing is better than the feeling you get when you’ve just helped someone to pursue their education. …I would love to come home each day and have the feeling that I’ve helped make their dreams come true. I hope you feel that way. I hope you continue to doing what you do every day because that’s what it takes to make this world a better place and children to live.”
-Scholarship Recipient
Youth Appreciation Program
The Optimist Club of St. Paul started its Youth Appreciation Program nearly 50 years ago. It has grown from giving out one $500 scholarship annually to now giving our 15 - $3,000 scholarships annually. (See how to apply by scrolling down on this page.)
In the 1990s, it began formally honoring 15 students annually and awarded one a $500 scholarship. In 1995, Jim Speckman began work on creating a 501(c)3 non-profit for the Club called the St. Paul Friend of Youth Foundation. IRS approval was granted in 1996. Jim Speckman and John Tillotson led an initial fund drive to raise $100,000 in pledges over a three-year period with 100% participation by Club members. By the end of 1997, both goals were achieved!
In 1997, two scholarships were awarded for $1,000 each. In 1998, that grew to three awards and then five awards in 1999 and 2000. In 2001, 15 awards were made for $500 each and the Foundation began a partnership with Dollars for Scholars. The awards grew over the years and are now $3,000 each.
“I just graduated this past June from Carleton College... As a first generation college student and one from a Hmong refugee family, the financial assistance was crucial to my success at Carleton...I’ve had great memories, connected with great, lasting friends, and challenged myself socially and academically...Your help has changed my life and my future prospects, and in turn, my future contributions to society.”
“The night of Thursday, October 21, 2004 was one I will never forget. That night, I was given the opportunity to pursue my dream of acquiring a college degree. Thank you for the Youth Appreciation Award and the scholarship. . . . It means I’m closer to my dream and my family’s dream. It means a burden is lifted off my shoulders; I’ll have to worry less about my financial state when I’m in college. . . . It means that I can show my siblings and the people around me that even when the odds are against you, it’s still possible.”
Since 1997, the St. Paul Friend of Youth Foundation has awarded scholarships of more than $600,000. Each year as the school year starts, the Club petitions all of the city’s high schools – private, public and charter – to nominate students who succeed in the face of great adversity. We receive nominations from guidance counselors, teachers, social workers and others. Usually, 75-80 nominations are received and narrowed to 15. We honor these students in November and paid the scholarships the following year. Our scholarship is often the first one received by the students!
Club members continue to financially support the Foundation as do other non-Club individuals and businesses, including UBS, Morgan Stanley, Deluxe, AIG, 3M, Great Clips, Midwest Staffing, Bank Cherokee, Highland Bank and the St. Paul Foundation.
The expenses for Youth Appreciation are paid by the Club and the only expenses paid by the Foundation have been for tax filing and bonding. The Foundation Board of Directors are currently all members of the St. Paul Optimist Club. The Board can have up to nine members but at least five of them must be members of the St. Paul Optimist Club. The Foundation Board of Directors receive no compensation.
A study with College Possible indicated that students receiving the Youth Appreciation Scholarships have a high probability of obtaining a post-secondary degree. Approximately 90% of our student recipients are persons of color. On average, 49% of students of color in Minnesota obtain a degree within six years or less. 62% of all students in Minnesota obtain a degree in six years or less. The study showed that our student recipients had a 70% chance of completing their degrees within six years!
Who may apply for a scholarship and how to do so:
Annually, the Saint Paul Friend of Youth Foundation awards fifteen $3,000 scholarships to senior students enrolled in schools within the City of St. Paul, Minnesota.
Who may apply:
Any senior or equivalent level student
From any accredited school within the City of St. Paul, Minnesota
Public, Private, Parochial, Charter, etc.
How to apply:
A completed application must be submitted by the student’s school counselor.
School counselors may request an application packet from j.tillotson62@gmail.com.
Applications are submitted and accepted from early September to mid-October annually.
Scholarships are awarded in late October.
In early November, a Youth Appreciation recognition dinner and program will be held.
For more information, contact John Tillotson at j.tillotson@gmail.com.
The St. Paul Friend of Youth Foundation has a separate website at www.stpaulfriend.dollarsforscholars.org.
Donations to the Foundation may be made on that website or by sending a check to:
The St. Paul Friend of Youth Foundation
2719 Garfield Street NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418
Or
The Optimist Club of St. Paul (note that donation is for Friend of Youth Foundation)
PO Box 40065
St. Paul, MN 55104-8065
For more information about Youth Appreciation and/or the Foundation, contact John Tillotson at j.tillotson62@gmail.com.
