Announcing a transition:
A Letter from the Interim Executive Director
Dear Swift Youth Foundation Community,
I wanted to take a moment to tell a story, share some personal news, and enlist your help.
Story: This past weekend was the annual Swift Carnival. Despite the rain, over 125 volunteers helped provide a wonderful day of food, fun, and games, free of charge to more than 200 of our Kindergarten through 3rd grade participants. The kids had a blast! As the event came to an end, I asked one of our Club Swift Jr middle school volunteers "how did it feel to be a volunteer and not a participant?" Exasperated she replied, "it was so much work, but awesome!" Later that night her mother sent me a thank you note, expressing what a great opportunity it was for her child, who wants to become a teacher when she is older. This is the mission of Swift in action: Promoting the path from present to potential, through peer mentorship relationships.
Now for the news: This Friday will be my last day working with Swift, as I am moving on to the next stage of my career. While I am sad to share the news, I am excited to begin working in the for-profit industry, helping to grow a business. Since I joined Swift as a high-school volunteer in 2001, I have seen the after-school programming triple, the launch of a middle school program, increased community partnerships, the implementation of data tracking and evaluation systems, and countless new volunteer opportunities for people who want to support our mission. Our summer camp programs have become more and more robust, and I am confident the hundreds of teens who have participated in our Teen Leadership Programs will go on to achieve great things in their lives and for their communities. I have grown personally as well, which is one of the best parts of being involved with Swift Youth Foundation. I have so enjoyed getting to know all of you and working with you, and I am certain that our paths will continue to cross as we move forward. As much as we impact the children we serve as well as their families, they have as great, if not greater impact on us.
Your help: In the coming days, the Board of Directors will be announcing the next Executive Director of Swift Youth Foundation. I look forward to supporting Swift in this transition phase and hope you will as well. Continue volunteering and telling your friends and families about the mission of Swift. With your help, Swift will continue to provide incredible opportunities for the youth and teens in our community.
It has been such a great opportunity to have been involved with Swift for so many years and I hope to continue strengthening the mentorship bonds that have been formed along the way. As our tagline says "Fun is just the start."
Sincerely,
Mike Evans
I wanted to take a moment to tell a story, share some personal news, and enlist your help.
Story: This past weekend was the annual Swift Carnival. Despite the rain, over 125 volunteers helped provide a wonderful day of food, fun, and games, free of charge to more than 200 of our Kindergarten through 3rd grade participants. The kids had a blast! As the event came to an end, I asked one of our Club Swift Jr middle school volunteers "how did it feel to be a volunteer and not a participant?" Exasperated she replied, "it was so much work, but awesome!" Later that night her mother sent me a thank you note, expressing what a great opportunity it was for her child, who wants to become a teacher when she is older. This is the mission of Swift in action: Promoting the path from present to potential, through peer mentorship relationships.
Now for the news: This Friday will be my last day working with Swift, as I am moving on to the next stage of my career. While I am sad to share the news, I am excited to begin working in the for-profit industry, helping to grow a business. Since I joined Swift as a high-school volunteer in 2001, I have seen the after-school programming triple, the launch of a middle school program, increased community partnerships, the implementation of data tracking and evaluation systems, and countless new volunteer opportunities for people who want to support our mission. Our summer camp programs have become more and more robust, and I am confident the hundreds of teens who have participated in our Teen Leadership Programs will go on to achieve great things in their lives and for their communities. I have grown personally as well, which is one of the best parts of being involved with Swift Youth Foundation. I have so enjoyed getting to know all of you and working with you, and I am certain that our paths will continue to cross as we move forward. As much as we impact the children we serve as well as their families, they have as great, if not greater impact on us.
Your help: In the coming days, the Board of Directors will be announcing the next Executive Director of Swift Youth Foundation. I look forward to supporting Swift in this transition phase and hope you will as well. Continue volunteering and telling your friends and families about the mission of Swift. With your help, Swift will continue to provide incredible opportunities for the youth and teens in our community.
It has been such a great opportunity to have been involved with Swift for so many years and I hope to continue strengthening the mentorship bonds that have been formed along the way. As our tagline says "Fun is just the start."
Sincerely,
Mike Evans