On the Edge Of

20 annual report10 Confirmed in Compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations on the edge of DULUTH SUPERIOR AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION This Annual Report was printed by Arrowhead Printing in Superior. on the edge of Encouraging Hope CONNIE AND KEN SCHOEN MOVED TO DULUTH LATER IN LIFE BEING DRAWN TO LAKE SUPERIOR BY KEN’S PAssION FOR SAILING AND DIscOVERING A 2 ACRE PROPERTY OVERLOOKING THE LAKE. They went on to build a house here, but it is through consistently displayed high academic volunteering they made this region home. Volunteering achievement but have the potential created connections within the community while giving them to complete post secondary work. a chance to give something back. But, this wasn’t enough. The students are also in a financial position where without this During their careers in the field of corrections, Ken and scholarship, higher education might Connie saw first hand the destructive impact that a distressed not be an option. childhood can have on kids trying to reach their potential. Having worked for a foundation in New York City for years, “The showing of interest and Ken knew that foundations could be a source of help. They financial support can go a long way on the web assumed for individuals to respond to such a problem in a student’s life,” Ken says. “With Learn more about how you can would take millions of dollars. The Duluth Superior Area motivation and an opportunity for establish a scholarship fund at the Community Foundation Community Foundation provided the solution. success, they can develop into much to help students achieve their more than even we can imagine.” The couple went on to create the Kenneth and Concetta educational goals. Schoen Scholarship Fund to assist students who had not on the edge of transforming a city CITY LEADERS DREAD VACANT STOREFRONTS. IN SUPERIOR, THIS DREAD IS SERVING AS THE FOUNDATION TO TRANSFORM THE CITY OF SUPERIOR INTO AN ARTS DESTINATION. “Research shows there is a need for a To assist in the project, Superior BID stronger presence of the arts in Superior,” and SPAC2ES brought on long-time says Kaye Tenerelli, Executive Director of Superior textiles artist Erika Mock as Superior Business Improvement District director. Erika says the project serves (BID). To achieve this, Superior BID, in multiple purposes including exhibit space collaboration with the Superior Public for professional and emerging artists. They Art Creating Community Environments can also sell their work. “This is something (SPAC2ES) proposed a project called exciting for artists, the community and Phantom Galleries. The concept, modeled property owners” says Erika. “This is an after L.A.’s successful Phantom Galleries opportunity to display artwork in a non- Project, provides temporary exhibits traditional setting while breathing some of established regional artists in vacant vibrancy into the downtown.” storefronts in Superior’s downtown. The Long-term, Kaye believes Superior’s exhibits can be viewed from car or on foot, downtown is on the edge of transforming making the art accessible to all. into an arts destination that would benefit on the web Today, the project is well underway thanks the entire region. “This project is an absolute Check back throughout the to a 2010 grant from the Community must,” she says. “This could potentially lead summer to view slide shows showcasing the new artwork being Foundation’s Morgan Fund. The field of interest to long-term gallery space in our downtown displayed in downtown Superior. fund, which was established by Richard and or attract a new or existing business in the Elizabeth Burns in 1984, gives priority to region that has a strong appreciation for the projects that foster community pride or arts to our downtown.” economically impact the Twin Ports. “It feels good to help others,” Helen says. Robin adds “volunteering keeps me grounded. There are always people with needs and it feels good to help out where I can.” Today, the two volunteer with the Damiano Center’s Clothes That Work program. The program assists job seekers and low income on the edge of workers by providing work appropriate clothing, job interview advice, and hygiene and beauty products. “These people come in really down empowering and out,” explains Robin. “We give them a start. This isn’t a hand-out but rather assisting them so they can get their life back on track.” In 2010, the Damiano Center received Lives a grant from the Community ROBIN TOMCZAK AND HELEN GOROskI ARE OFTEN Opportunity Fund to assist with the on the web Watch a slideshow showcasing other SEEN VOLUNTEERING TOGETHER ON TUESDAYS AT THE increased demand for services through the Clothes That Work program. The programs funded by the Community DAMIANO CENTER IN DULUTH. THEIR REASONS FOR Foundation in 2010 and learn how unrestricted fund allows the Community GETTING INVOLVED AS VOLUNTEERS DIFFER BUT THEY to support our vision of fostering Foundation to be responsive to crucial generosity, civic engagement and SHARE A SIMPLE REASON FOR WHY THEY CONTINUE. issues based on its ongoing assessment inclusiveness across the region. of community needs—in this case assisting more than 2,000 individuals find or maintain employment. While these numbers are impressive, Robin says seeing firsthand the impact on individuals is what inspires her continued involvement. “I build amazing friendships with these people. As they come back and share their stories on finding a job and getting back on their feet, it feels great to know I played a small role.” This role helps people on the edge start over to achieve their dreams. on the edge of guiding change PHIL AND BABS STROM’S LIFE READS LIKE A FAIRY greatest need is and where we feel TALE. PHIL FIRST MET BABS IN GERMANY WHILE we can make the most positive impact SERVING IN THE MILITARY AFTER BEING DRAFTED DURING in the organizations we support.” In THE VIETNAM WAR. IN 1967, PHIL RETURNED TO THE addition to the involvement allowed STATES WITH BABS AT HIS SIDE. TOGETHER, THEY by a donor advised fund, Phil and on the web BEGAN BUILDING A LIFE FROM THE GROUND-UP. Babs appreciate the strong leadership Learn more about establishing a and efficiency of partnering with a Donor Advised Fund, or one of the “I have seen poverty at its worst,” explains Babs, who grew Community Foundation. The money is other types of funds offered at the up in Germany during World War II. Phil, who was raised on a invested with assets from more than Community Foundation, designed to share crop farm, knows firsthand the value of hard work. This 300 additional funds, creating a $50+ empower your sense of generosity. history plays a vital role in what they are today. million investment pool managed by After returning stateside, Phil began a long career as a some of the best financial leaders. successful financial planner while Babs raised two children The couple has no plans of slowing and taught. Now retired, the two are focused on giving back this involvement down anytime soon. to a community that has been so generous. “We have more When asked why they choose to play than we could possibly ever need,” explains Phil. “It is our such an active role in this community time to give something back.” versus enjoying a well-deserved For the Stroms, giving back doesn’t just come in the form retirement of leisure, Babs says “I’m of writing a check. The two are active in the community, both grateful that I’m healthy. I want to as volunteers and board members at numerous regional show gratitude for everything I’ve organizations. In addition, the couple established the Philip been granted in life.” H. and Barbara Strom Family Charitable Fund at the Duluth Likewise, we extend our gratitude Superior Area Community Foundation. The donor advised to a generous couple that is always on fund allows them to support causes they care about while the edge of guiding change through playing an active role in the grant making process. their involvement in and passion Phil says this distinction is important because, “we know toward this community. we can’t support everything. We want to research where the on the edge of Building the Next Generation of Leaders KEITH ERIcksON’S INTEREST IN After graduation from the University of Minnesota Duluth and three partners (pictured below) have embraced a relatively new a scholarship, though. “Beyond giving back to a TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTERS PRE-DATES University of Iowa, Keith and his family relocated to California so he could business model called rural outsourcing. Rural outsourcing focuses community that has provided so much to us, we THE INTERNET AS WE KNOW IT TODAY. IT pursue a career in the technology industry. In spite of experiencing great on soliciting work in high cost areas but performing the work in really want to encourage the growth of young, WAS THIS PAssION, COMBINED WITH HIS success on the west coast, he knew his heart belonged in Duluth. In 1990 Duluth at reduced rates. The end result is a great deal of high quality, talented students who want to study technology LOVE FOR THE TWIN PORTS THAT LED HIM he made the move back. Since then, he’s built a successful business that is technical work being imported into Duluth. and hopefully stay in the region,” Erickson says. TO ESTABLISH A BUSINEss THAT HAS SEEN constantly on the edge of technology, looking to the future. Today, Erickson and his partners are committed to giving back The Saturn Systems scholarship is designed STRONG AND CONSISTENT GROWTH—EVEN Saturn Systems focuses on writing custom software applications for to the community through a scholarship at the Duluth Superior specifically for students who wish to pursue a THROUGH THE RECEssION.

Load more