Ascendium: $100K Grant to Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County to Support Local Students’ College, Career Success

A local program with a proven track record of helping area youth develop the skills, habits and experiences to be successful in their college and career journeys is getting an extra boost from a $100,000 grant. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County has been awarded one of Ascendium’s Good Neighbor Grants and is using the funds to support the operating costs of its Advancement via Individual Determination/Teens of Promise Program (AVID/TOPS).

AVID/TOPS, a partnership between the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County and the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD), is a rigorous college and career preparatory program primarily serving students from low-income backgrounds, students of color and aspiring first-generation college students. Some of its offerings include academic support, college field trips, career exploration activities and internship opportunities. Almost 1,000 MMSD students participate in AVID/TOPS.

Ascendium’s grant will benefit students like Benjamin Davis, who participated in AVID/TOPS during his four years at Madison East High School. Through the program, Davis received tutoring services, visited organizations across Madison to learn more about the jobs they offer, participated in paid summer internships and toured college campuses. Davis is now a sophomore business major at Bryant & Stratton College with plans to transfer to Marquette University or the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee next year to pursue a career as a financial advisor.

“Receiving guidance on critical thinking, study methods and professional language really put me ahead of my peers. The college field trips were especially beneficial since, as a first-generation college student, you don’t know what you don’t know,” Davis said. “There were many people who helped me and with whom I connected as part of AVID/TOPS. For me, AVID/TOPS is more than just a program — it’s a family.”

“AVID/TOPS is making a difference in the lives of students by putting them on a path to realize their greatest potential,” Michael Johnson, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, said. “We are able to do this through a robust program and dedicated staff who build impactful relationships with members to help position so many of them for success. This funding will allow us to maintain and grow the remarkable successes of AVID/TOPS. We are grateful to Ascendium for their support.” 

This grant is just one of 10 Good Neighbor Grants Ascendium awarded in the fall of 2022 for a total award amount of $1 million. The grants are unique in that they are entirely employee-driven. Ascendium employees nominate and vote for nonprofits that positively impact the communities where they live and work. The recipients use the funding to increase education and workforce training outcomes for learners from low-income backgrounds.

“We’re thrilled with our employees’ decision to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County and students like Benjamin with a Good Neighbor Grant,” Brett Lindquist, Ascendium’s vice president – strategic communications, said. “Being able to continue our partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County and play a small part in helping these students realize their dreams is incredibly rewarding.”

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County

Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County is a leader in youth development programs, working with local businesses, foundations and community programs to produce positive outcomes for more than 7,500 young people and their families. Our core program areas include character and leadership, health and wellness, education and career development, sports and recreation and the arts. To learn more, visit bgcdc.org.

About Ascendium

Ascendium Education Group is committed to making education and training beyond high school a reality for more people. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we fund initiatives across the U.S. that help learners from low-income backgrounds achieve upward mobility; provide student and employee success solutions to colleges and businesses; invest in education-focused innovations to improve learner outcomes; and provide information, tools and counseling to help millions of borrowers successfully repay their federal student loans. While we have many roles, we have one goal — elevating opportunity by creating a world where everyone can rise to their highest potential. To learn more, visit ascendiumeducation.org.

6AM Marketing Participating in Madison Public Schools Foundation’s Adopt-a-School Program

6AM Marketing is thrilled to be partnering with the La Follette High School Business and Marketing team through the Madison Public Schools Foundation’s Adopt-a-School program. We will be offering a combination of volunteer and financial resources to the program, sharing time, talent, and expertise. 

La Follette teachers Kurtis Nelson and Darrin Graham are thrilled to be able to provide their students with the opportunity to engage with and learn from our experience and knowledge in the industry. 

If your organization is interested in learning more about the Adopt-a-School program, contact Mary Bartzen at mbartzen@SchoolsMakeMadison.org.

511 Volunteer Hours Donated in WI and Quad Cities by Old National Bank Staff in Service Event

Madison, WI. (October 3, 2022) — Old National Bank celebrated its first Better Together Volunteer Days of service on September 28^th and 29^th. The two-day event provided staff across Old National’s seven-state footprint the opportunity to volunteer together in the communities where they live and work. 

Team members throughout our markets partnered with community organizations to serve food security organizations, seniors, community centers and more.

There were virtual volunteer opportunities for those who could not participate in person. During the two days, 52% of employees from Wisconsin and the Quad Cities volunteered 511 hours with 10 non-profit organizations. Company-wide, 1,572 Old National team members were able to help 110 organizations, by volunteering 5,311 hours in seven states. 

“As Old National grows geographically, serving in our communities really keeps us grounded in terms of our mission as a community bank,” said Kathy Schoettlin, Chief Brand & Culture Officer. “We’re excited for this opportunity to help strengthen our communities through volunteerism, and we’re proud of our team members for making service a real part of our company culture.”

Click here to access professional-quality, high resolution (300 dpi) photos, sorted by community. You may use any photo without attribution. If you would like more information/context about a specific photo, please contact Kate Miller at kate.miller@oldnational.com.

ABOUT OLD NATIONAL

Old National Bancorp (NASDAQ: ONB), the holding company of Old National Bank, is the sixth largest commercial bank headquartered in the Midwest. With approximately $46 billion of assets and $28 billion of assets under management, Old National ranks among the top 35 banking companies based in the U.S. and has been recognized as a World’s Most Ethical Company by the Ethisphere Institute for eleven consecutive years.  Since its founding in 1834, Old National Bank has focused on community banking by building long-term, highly valued partnerships with clients and in the communities it serves. In addition to providing extensive services in retail and commercial banking, Old National offers comprehensive wealth management, investment, and capital market services. For more information and financial data, please visit Investor Relations at oldnational.com.

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WPS Charitable Foundation donates to Stand Down Madison

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Charitable Foundation donates to Stand Down Madison

MADISON, Wis.—Sept. 13, 2022—On Sept. 9, the WPS Charitable Foundation presented a $5,000 check to Wayne D. Horner Memorial Stand Down Madison, a local organization that provides relief to veterans experiencing homelessness.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Natalie Isensee, Vice President of Communications DeAnne Boegli, and Charitable Foundation Program Administrator Amy Callender awarded the check to Angie Nickels, President of Stand Down Madison, and other Stand Down Madison representatives.

“At WPS, we seek to partner with organizations that have a strong affinity to our mission of helping veterans get needed health care,” Boegli said. “Stand Down Madison’s compassionate care of veterans experiencing homelessness is a cause we are proud to support.”

The Stand Down Madison fundraising main event is Oct. 8, and the organization is in need of volunteers for the event. Vendors can register online at standdownmadison.org/become-a-vendor. Volunteers can sign up to help at standdownmadison.org/volunteer.

About the WPS Charitable Foundation

The WPS Charitable Foundation was formed in 1986 to honor WPS’ first president, Ray Koenig. The Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization that focuses on enhancing the communities we call home by supporting organizations focused on health and wellness, especially of women and children, seniors, military and veterans, and underserved populations. The Foundation also funds the Ray Koenig Memorial Scholarship program. Each year, the program makes educational opportunities available through scholarship awards to children of employees of WPS Health Solutions and its subsidiaries.

About WPS Health Solutions^®

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions), founded in 1946, is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. WPS Health Solutions serves active-duty and retired military personnel, seniors, individuals, and families in Wisconsin, across the U.S., and around the world. WPS Health Solutions, headquartered in Madison, Wis., has more than 2,700 employees. Within the enterprise, there are three divisions: WPS Government Health Administrators, WPS Military and Veterans Health, and WPS Health Insurance/WPS Health Plan/EPIC Specialty Benefits. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

Photo caption:
WPS Charitable Foundation presents a $5,000 check to Stand Down Madison. Pictured (l. to r.) are: Stand Down Madison representatives Jim Blankenheim, Angie Nickels, and Charlie Arndt, as well as WPS Health Solutions employees Natalie Isensee, DeAnne Boegli, and Amy Callender.

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National Guardian Life Insurance Company donates $100,000 for The Center for Black Excellence and Culture

National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is pleased to announce a $100,000 gift to support The Center for Black Excellence and Culture. NGL values diversity of thought, background and beliefs which are key to living our cultural values of integrity, dependability, collaboration, compassion and growth. Creating a welcoming, inclusive environment is integral to ensuring everyone feels a sense of belonging.

“We are proud to join other leaders in the community in support of this important project to inspire and advance the Black community. The Center will have a transformative impact for everyone in Madison because we all benefit when we create opportunities and empower others to thrive and succeed,” said Knut Olson, President & CEO at NGL.

Expected to open in 2024, the 65,000 square foot Center will be a valuable resource that is inspired, designed and led by members of the Black community. The Center’s areas of focus include health and wellness, leadership and innovation, performing and arts visuals, and youth and families.

“This fantastic gift sends a message of affirmation to us, and it reverberates in the Black community. NGL’s support helps demonstrate that The Center is becoming a reality, and the business community embraces a solution that helps Black people feel at home in greater Madison. We are so grateful for this impactful investment in The Center,” said Reverend Dr. Alex Gee, The Center’s Founder and CEO.

About NGL

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

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