Scholars
We have had the privilege of being connected with the Chubu Children’s Fund as part of the ACCJ’s program in Nagoya. Over the years we have been able to give the high school graduates from the various orphanages who continue their education laptops.
Once the Mark Bell Scholarship fund was established at YouMeWe, we modeled the application process off of the CCF and were able to help financially with scholars tuition in addition to the CCF funding.
We spent Saturday morning and afternoon with over one dozen scholars as they were interviewed about their lifes and status of their education.
Aside from all the amazing scholars, some who are only 18 years old but appear to be much more mature, proves maturity knows no age. An 18 year old showing us his financial app where he tracks expenses or his nutrition. Another 18 year old who has never touched his savings from high school but lived within the means of his part time job of the scholarships. Financial management seems to be the most common challenge aside from the stellar money managers.
One student in particular humbled and impressed one. He is not a scholar recipient because he had saved enough money and makes enough money to pay his own tuition. Yet sought out and invited the co-chair to dinner with one simple request…to be part of CCF. So, though he neither needs or wants anything, he comes to the events simply for the camaraderie of the other students.
The Chubu Children’s Fund - established by the ACCJ Chubu Chapter in 2016 - provides funding and support for projects that empower, educate, and inspire children, residing in foster homes in the Chubu area, so they may become productive, motivated members of society when they move out on their own.
The key aspects of the " Catalyst Program " are based around:
Leadership Camps
Mentoring Program
Technology Assistance
With the skills and empowerment gained, participants will be further supported through:
Scholarship Program
Internships and Jobs
Leadership Camps
Participating children begin their journey with growth and leadership camps tailored to the needs of each of three age groups (elementary, junior & senior high school).
Camps for each age group typically take place from one to three times a year, and vary in length from weekend retreats to week-long adventures. Not merely fun and games, inspirational, meaningful yet fun activities with members, councilors, speakers etc., provide the potential for life-changing experiences.
Mentoring Program
The leadership camps will provide a spring board for a mentoring program with leaders from the local business community. This program may consist of monthly phone calls, emails, or other forms of communication including a monthly or bi-monthly face to face meeting.
Mentoring programs help foster long-lasting, meaningful relationships with kids that typically lead to a better future for each protege in the program.
Technology Assistance
A sound base of computer/technology skills is considered paramount to employability and simply functioning in daily life. With the help of partnering child-care facilities and orphanages, we develop a technology plan for each location based on specific needs and funding available.
Scholarship Program
Once children have progressed through the Catalyst Program, they become eligible for a scholarship when they are ready to leave the home and move out into the world on their own. The Chubu Children's Fund can provide scholarships that would assist qualifying participants when they chose to go on to higher education.
Internships and Jobs
As the children move through the system, and become young adults, the final step in our program is to provide them with opportunities for jobs or internships.
