ECLIPSe & ENGAGE

What is ECLIPSe and ENGAGE?

In 2001, ECLIPSe was created in order to promote youth philanthropy, integrate service-learning into the community, increase youth civic engagement and expand the number of youth-adult partnerships in Hancock County.  Service-learning is a powerful educational strategy that makes school work more relevant by allowing students to use classroom knowledge in a real-world, hands-on way through providing service that meets actual community needs. Partners include the Findlay City Schools, Hancock County Educational Service Center, The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation (TCF), United Way of Hancock County, Campus Compact at The University of Findlay, OSU Extension and Hancock Youth Leadership.  In January 2009, the ECLIPSe Partnership Coordinator became a Program Officer at TCF in charge of all youth and education activities and grantmaking, including ECLIPSe.  ECLIPSe Partners are now part of an ECLIPSe Advisory Committee at TCF.

ECLIPSe members are Hancock County youth in the eighth grade through college.  In addition to personally participating in a wide variety of service-learning projects such as Make A Difference Day, Coats for Christmas, National Youth Service Day, Zach Morgan Memorial Soccer Tournament, Community Read and teaching philanthropy in local elementary and middle schools, ECLIPSe has granted over $55,000 to support 70 local youth-driven service-learning projects over the last nine years. More than 340 youth have participated in ECLIPSe since 2001 and their projects impact approximately 10,000 youth annually.  Thousands of local K-16 youth and hundreds of K-16 teachers and faculty have participated in high quality service-learning projects because of this local partnership. ECLIPSe provides a safe place to develop new skills, expand networks, connect to community, develop identity, explore careers and other interests, and enjoy the rewards of contributing to society.  ECLIPSe empowers youth and proves what valuable resources they are to Hancock County.  Youth participate as equal voting members with adult Partners and they facilitate and run their own meetings and activities.  In early 2011, the ECLIPSe youth council and Mayor’s Teen Advisory Council merged to become ENGAGE.  The ENGAGE youth council remains part of the ECLIPSe Partnership and its purpose continues to be the promotion of service-learning, youth philanthropy and civic engagement.

The Youth and Education Program Officer at TCF also works as a consultant with the Findlay City, Hancock County Schools and the University of Findlay to provide professional development, curriculum integration tools and technical assistance in developing and implementing service-learning projects. ECLIPSe youth take an active role for the funding of their projects.  They have held a variety of fundraising events as well as presented to potential funders on the impact of their work.  The funds raised from these events help sustain and grow this service-learning partnership in Hancock County. Students and adults in ECLIPSe have presented a numerous local, state and national conferences to share the impact of service-learning.  ECLIPSe allows more youth to experience the power of service- learning as well as encourages more youth civic engagement and strong youth-adult partnerships in addressing significant community issues.

If you would like more information about service-learning or how you can join the ENGAGE Youth Council, contact Kimberly Bash at 419-425-1100 or kbash@community-foundation.com.

Want to become a member of the ENGAGE Youth Council?
Click here to download the application (Word).  The deadline to apply is February 3, 2012.