Inspiring a Generation for Good
For more than five years, PBnJ (Philanthropy Board in Jackson County) has brought students from Jackson County high schools together in a non-competitive environment to focus on addressing the needs of their community.
“We had nothing like PBnJ in the county,” said Amber Matthiesen, co-founder and 4-H Youth Program development specialist. “We needed an opportunity to teach youth about philanthropy and giving back to their community through not only donating money, but also giving of time, talents, and treasures.”
A cooperative effort of the ISU Jackson County 4-H Extension office and the Community Foundation of Jackson County (CFJC), PBnJ is comprised of high school students from Maquoketa, Easton Valley, Bellevue and Marquette Catholic High Schools dedicated to using volunteerism, philanthropy, and grantmaking to help young people act as positive youth role models, develop leadership skills, and improve Jackson County.
“It’s really fun to see all of these high schools working together for one common goal,” said Mary Jo Gothard, CFJC executive director. “They bring their ideas together about how to raise funds and about the needs within the community,” said Gothard. “These students come up with young, fresh ideas—we all learn from it.”
In September, PBnJ students decided to host meetings at a different nonprofit location each month, participating in service projects at each location. This year, the organization volunteered at the Preston Library, Maquoketa Community Cupboard, Bellevue Art Gallery, Preston Manna Center, and the Hurstville Interpretive Center.
For Marquette High School senior Logan Schroeder, it was an experience that opened his eyes to the needs of his community.
“It is a really great way for students to learn about how to help more,” said Schroeder. “Without this experience, I wouldn’t have had these opportunities to volunteer.”
In addition to volunteering, PBnJ provides grants each year to youth-serving nonprofits.
Last year PBnJ awarded nearly $1,500 in grants to three organizations that met one or more of the America’s Promise alliance for youth five promises: Caring Adults, Safe Places, A Healthy Start, Effective Education, and Opportunities to Help Others. Recipients of 2014 PBnJ grants included: the Bellevue Community School District, to purchase Bellevue High School S.W.A.T. team Blessings Bags; Ohnward Fine Arts Center, to support its 2014 youth production; and Maquoketa Area Family YMCA, to provide swimming lessons.
For more information, please contact CFJC Executive Director Mary Jo Gothard at maryjo@dbqfoundation.org or call 563-652-4179.