The Duṧan Nedelko Foundation
FINANCIAL AWARDS – SPRING 2011
The Duṧan Nedelko Foundation is proud to announce Spring 2011 financial awards. We feel privileged to forward a total of $6200 to organizations leading inspirational youth programs in Ontario’s outdoors. Our application review committee had to make tough decisions, as there was great interest from a variety of non-profit programs and more funds applied for than we are currently able to award.
These are the organizations and groups who will benefit from your donations and your fund-raising efforts:
$ 2000 to Trails Youth Initiatives ~ a portion of this year’s costs for an inspiring 4 yr program for 88 vulnerable youth at a time, from both GTA and Northern Ontario communities. Trails serves as a protective factor against poor education, poverty, violence, and exposes participants to experiences, including canoe and camping trips that help to expand and build a solid framework for sustained transformation. The program builds roots and wings, so that budding leaders have the chance to apply what they learn in a safe, trial and error environment, with peer and adult coaches. www.trails.ca
$ 1000 – P.I.N.E. project ~to support launching their Environmental Leadership Program, engaging local (currently Huntsville & GTA) youth in leadership training in the outdoors. The P.I.N.E. project’s mission: to inspire healthy, lifelong connections between people and nature. www.pineproject.org
S.O.Y – SUPPORTING OUR YOUTH
$1400 – SOY / Supporting Our Youth ~ we’ll provide towards a partnership with Outward Bound and others in Toronto, some transportation, tuition and food costs for 20 youth participants in SOY Urban Adventure Program. Queer Youth will focus on developing leadership capacity through adventure, through initiatives and exploration of the local urban environment, the program provides opportunities for personal & social development, community engagement, and awareness of connections to nature.
$500 -Etobicoke Outdoor Education Centre – we’ll support updating equipment youth use for the cross country ski program at Albion Hills Conservation Area.http://toes.tdsb.on.ca/residential/eoec/index.asp
$500 Set aside to support ODSA in Ontario Disc Golf Schools Education Program, set to bring discs, teaching and some outdoor learning time for students at public parks & courses across the province this fall. We join partners Participaction and True Sport and look forward to boosting our support as other partners join in.
Special note:The DNF application review committee decided to set aside some available and expected incoming funds for Individual youth who may apply for support with parts of the costs of camp or similar outdoor educational experiences in Ontario this summer. In June we awarded 2 youth our first individual bursary awards, a total of $800 towards summer camp fees.
Thank You for making it possible for us to support these organizations in Duṧan’s memory. We are truly grateful and hope that you will consider future donations – your dollars will put smiles on children’s faces when they experience the beauty and the inspiration of Ontario’s nature!
Duṧan Nedelko - 1970-2010
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Dusan was quite an inspiration, i first met him in South River in 2003. I fondly miss him
Hi Felix! Thanks for you kind words – your thoughts are much appreciated by all of us!