When The Carnival Came To Town

Guest blog by Don Weintraub, board member and long time Swift supporter.

​On January 20, 2018, the Swift Youth Foundation entered its 38th year of existence and hosted its 17th Annual Carnival. This carries great significance for Swift Youth Foundation as a huge amount of work has been done over the past 3+ decades in order to pave the way from the past to present to future potential for the youth we serve.
 
​I became involved with Swift Youth Foundation almost 15 years ago and was surprised to find the organization was already 23 years old! It seemed that our programming and efforts of volunteers was strong, and yet we struggled to expand our offerings and increase our funding to more than just enough to squeak by at yearend. For ANY non-profit organization to exist after 38 years is remarkable and for the past 15 years I have worked alongside some of the brightest and most well-meaning people; all of us trying diligently to get Swift from its grass roots to the “next level.” 

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"the Swift Carnival is a most unique opportunity for potential youth to get a glimpse of Camp Swift 'magic'"

Our 2018 Carnival brought the largest attendance in Swift history, and on a rainy, cold Saturday to boot! Of all the various ways that youth come to embrace Swift, the Swift Carnival is a most unique opportunity for potential youth to get a glimpse of Camp Swift “magic” on their home turf here in the Valley of the Sun, creating excitement for them to greater educational achievement for the chance to attend Camp Swift in the summer and/or Swift after school programming. Approximately 400 students and parents, along with an additional 100 counselors and volunteers attended the event! The school kids played games and made new friends, the young adults coordinated activities and mentored the children throughout the day, and the adult volunteers helped feed every single attendee, despite running out of some food, which has NEVER happened in our past. 

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We now have experienced and permanent managerial staff, and have exponentially increased the Foundation’s programs, offerings, funding, marketability, and the population of youth served. We have a “working” board of directors who all financially support the organization and give of their time wherever and whenever possible. 

​Swift Youth Foundation now positively impacts more children and young adults, and has more committed volunteers, than at any time in our existence. ​

​Fulton J. Sheen, an American Bishop once said, “Patience is power. Patience is not an absence of action; rather it is "timing" it waits on the right time to act, for the right principles and in the right way.” 

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Having over 500 people attend Swift Carnival this year is a tremendous achievement for us. It represents the organization’s sustainability in continued efforts to support the community and expand our programming and reach. It may have taken over three decades to get here, however our continued patience has paid off immensely. Our growth potential is unlimited, and I am honored and humbled to be part of the continuing blossoming of the organization from Camp Swift to Swift Youth Foundation, from past to present to future.​

Want to see more of the fun and festivities from the 2018 Swift Carnival?
​Click here to view the  complete photo gallery. 

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