In Their Own Words
Program Coordinators
“All the pieces of the puzzle seem to come together in TPI; what they’ve captured are the essential parts for sustainability of youth philanthropy.”
—Sharon Lilly, previous SLYP Program Coordinator
“As a York Community High School alumnus, I am especially interested in the positive impact the Three Pillars Initiative will have on the Elmhurst community.”
— Jake Meding, ESPC Senior Cohort Program Coordinator
“The program is great, but these kids are incredible. They really blew me away.”
— Terri Guercio, YPB Senior Cohort Program Coordinator
“I loved it. The students loved it. We all really felt it was amazing.”
— TiMiko Noel, TYP Program Coordinator
“The content of the program is really cool. It provides value to the students, the mentors, the foundation, and the community as a whole.”
— Tamara Morris, Executive Director of the Hamilton Community Foundation
“The students and parents and I are so excited about this program and the learning that will occur!”
— Janet Sommerville, TPI Naperville Program Coordinator
“It was incredible to see how professional the students were and their ability to have really difficult conversations that even adults have trouble with.”
— Kelly Price, YPLP Program Coordinator
“Watching them flourish in the company of other young people who are like minded and philanthropic minded is really heartwarming. Watching them realize how important this is to our community, to our country, to our world and really blossom in that, decide that it is something they want to continue doing their whole lives, it is amazing to see.”
—Karen Tardy, FPP Program Coordinator
Mentors
“The Three Pillars program is extraordinary. In the past fourteen years of working in philanthropy and community development, I have never seen a program so comprehensive and exciting. The students are dynamic and the relationship between mentor and young philanthropists will truly change our community for the better.”
— Chris Hochstetler, YPB Mentor
“The best part about this program is looking into the face of the future and seeing it smile back”
— Joe Smith, FPP Mentor
Students
“It’s different from anything I’ve done, this goes beyond service. We learned about the organizations’ processes, how they use the money they receive, and how they can benefit from it. Once we handed out the grants, we developed a relationship with the organizations.”
—Emma B, ‘24, YPB
“I feel like normally the kids are the ones being interviewed or the ones asking for something but in this case, I had the ability to hand out this grant and I was the one asking these questions.”
—Shea S. ‘24, FPP
“I had a preconceived notion that only successful business people could do [philanthropy]. Not true. Anyone can do philanthropy with a group.”
—Kate H. ‘24, YPB