Summit Country Day Students Take Action Against Human Trafficking
April 11, 2024 | Written by Branden Waggoner and Lindsey Barta
Magnified Giving is thrilled to showcase the achievements of Summit Country Day Upper School's Youth Philanthropy Program, a shining example of the transformative power of education and empathy. This spring, 89 students started on a philanthropy journey that not only broadened their horizons but also empowered them to become forces for positive change.
Mrs. Stephanie Duggan, the facilitator for the program, integrates the Magnified Giving philanthropy curriculum into her senior Religion classes, where students search for nonprofits and social causes that align with the themes of Catholic Social Teaching. Through site visits, research, and interviews with 30 nonprofits, students chose social issues they were passionate about and even discovered issues they didn’t know about before. For example, 3 students, Lily, Haley, and Grace, explored nonprofits related to Life and Dignity of the Human Person, ultimately advocating for Josephine's Clinic, a nonprofit serving victims of human trafficking and violence in Cincinnati. Lily shared, “We were so moved when we spoke to Rosanne about Josephine’s Clinic and the work she does because we didn’t even know that we had a problem of sexually trafficked women in Cincinnati, so close to our community.”
Exposing students to new and diverse social issues is crucial in shaping their worldview and fostering empathy. Through the Youth Philanthropy Program, students explore causes they may not have been aware of previously, broadening their horizons and understanding of societal challenges. This experience not only enriches their knowledge but also empowers them to educate their peers, families, and communities about these important issues, creating a ripple effect of awareness and action.
SCD’s Mrs. Duggan and students Lily, Haley, and Grace (bottom left, L-R) participate in a grant presentation over Zoom. Rosanne Hountz, President and Co-Founder of Josephine’s Clinic (top left) received the grant, and they were joined by Magnified Giving team members Lindsey Barta, Carey Kuznar, Alison Kaufman, and Roger Grein.
One of the program's standout moments was the advocacy and voting process, where students presented their chosen nonprofits to the entire senior class. This democratic approach not only encouraged community engagement but also presented the opportunity for students to educate one another about the topics and organizations they care about. Lily, Haley, and Grace’s passionate presentation led to the senior class voting almost unanimously to select Josephine's Clinic as the recipient of the $1,000 grant provided by Magnified Giving. This funding will make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals. Rosanne Hountz, President and Co-Founder of Joesphine’s Clinic, told the students, “I appreciate you so much. Every dollar counts, it really does!
Through Magnified Giving’s partnership with Summit Country Day School, we continue to magnify the impact of giving and inspire a generation of compassionate leaders. The Youth Philanthropy Program nurtures essential skills like self-management and social awareness while empowering students to take meaningful action in their communities. Grace summed up the experience well: “The motto at our school is, ‘to whom much is given, much is expected.’ I think that really came through in this project; because we’ve been given so much, we have the duty to give back to those that are less fortunate.”
Learn more about Magnified Giving’s programs and impact at www.magnifiedgiving.org.