The Morgan Hill Community Foundation has formed an alliance relationship with Rachel’s Challenge, a national educational nonprofit with a new chapter in Morgan Hill. Rachel’s Challenge is a series of educational programs and strategies that equip students and adults to combat bullying, isolation and violence by creating a culture of kindness and compassion.
The programs are based on the writings and life of 17 year-old Rachel Scott who was the first student killed at Columbine High School in 1999.
The national program has already reached millions of students across the U.S. and has shown positive results in the schools where it is operating. The Morgan Hill chapter for Rachel’s Challenge is reaching out to students at all levels in the Morgan Hill Unified School District starting in the 2012-2013 school year.
The Morgan Hill chapter hosts a regular team meeting on the first and third Mondays of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Santa Barbara Bank and Trust at Tennant Station.
Those who wish to volunteer or make a tax-deductible donation are welcome to attend. There will also be a town meeting at the Morgan Hill Public Library on Tuesday, Aug. 21, at 7 p.m. For more information about the local chapter and how to support the program, visit www.facebook.com/BringRachelsChallengeToMorganHill. For information about Rachel’s Challenge in general, visit www.rachelschallenge.org/.
“Rachel’s Challenge is a perfect partner for us and what the MHCF wishes to achieve, namely to strongly supporting community programs that have a long-lasting, positive effect for as many people as possible,” Dave Reisenauer, president of the Morgan Hill Community Foundation. “We can all benefit from a program that helps our students and local educators create a culture based on kindness, compassion and caring. I am glad that the MHCF can be a critical partner to make this a reality.”
In addition to its alliance with Rachel’s Challenge, the MHCF is also in the midst of planning and promoting its “10 for 10” program, which is a $10,000 grant that will be awarded to one local nonprofit in November to commemorate the MHCF’s 10 years of philanthropy. A copy of the grant application and rules are now available at www.morganhillcf.org. The application deadline is Sept. 1, with an acknowledgment of receipt by Sept. 15. Grant applications and all documentation should be mailed to MHCF, P.O. Box 1974, Morgan Hill, CA 95038.
For information about the Morgan Hill Community Foundation, ways to volunteer, the “10 for 10” program, or how to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit www.morganhillcf.org. To contact Rachel’s Challenge directly, please contact Ann Horner, [email protected].
