Youth Opportunity Fund celebrates 20 years as a foundation

Paul Streeter’s favorite movie is Field of Dreams. His favorite quote from the movie – “If you build it, they will come” – is a staple from the iconic 1980s baseball film.

The saying rings true for the Dryden Youth Opportunity Fund (DYOF), a 501(c)(3) foundation that serves area youth.

“It’s a simple concept. We raise money locally through individuals and businesses,” said Streeter, DYOF’s president of a board that includes 15 members.

This year, DYOF is celebrating 20 years as a foundation. In that span, DYOF surpassed $200,000 in total grants awarded to over 300 different programs since its inception. According to Streeter, DYOF raises about $10,000 annually.

“At the beginning, I never would have pictured getting to [$200,000],” Streeter said. “The community is incredibly supportive.”

DYOF, a foundation run purely by volunteers, does two grant cycles: one in the spring and one in the fall.

When DYOF became an idea, Streeter said it originally revolved around grant opportunities that were fundamental to school activities but outside the school budget.

“It was beyond what a school budget can afford,” Streeter said, including guest speakers, the Cayuga Lake floating classroom and more.

DYOF has awarded grants to various recipients, including Southworth Library, Tompkins County 4-H, each level of the Dryden Central School District, the William George Agency for Children’s Services, the Dryden Town Historical Society and more.

Back when DYOF started in 2003, the foundation wanted to create a “vehicle to encourage philanthropy,” said Streeter. The hope, he added, was that people would donate and also apply for grants.

“For 20 years, it’s worked out that way. We’ve been really fortunate,” Streeter said.

Streeter mentioned that DYOF – which focuses more on the number of donors than on dollars – receives a steady balance of 80-100 donors on an annual basis.

“We try to keep people engaged,” he said, noting efficient grant activity. “We don’t think we’d get the money if it was something that folks wouldn’t be good with. We’re not trying to save it, we’re trying to put it to good use and be good stewards of people’s money.”

Streeter noted that for DYOF, it’s about raising money and giving it away through grants for things worthwhile to local youth. DYOF typically gives out grants between $500 and $1,500. Streeter noted that the foundation rarely goes over $1,500.

“We give it to organizations that we think will benefit a lot of kids,” he said. “We don’t try to determine what activity that grant would be for. We just try to match up the money with it.”

Streeter is hopeful that DYOF can slowly grow over the next 20 years. He also hopes the foundation can reach $400,000-$500,000 in donations, but he is content with $300,000.

“It’s about providing enrichment with every gift,” Streeter said, referencing the DYOF’s mission statement on its website.

For more information on DYOF, go to dyof.org or the foundation’s Facebook page.

Dryden Dispatch appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

New book for the Story Walk in the village of Dryden

A new book is on display for the spring season on the Story Walk at the Jim Schug Trail in the village of Dryden.

According to the Family Reading Partnership in Ithaca, the book is “And Then Comes Summer” by Tom Brenner. The story is about the anticipation of summer, the warmest season of the year. 

The beautifully illustrated book will make children want to count the days until summer arrives. 

The beginning of the Story Walk at the Jim Schug Trail can be accessed adjacent to the Dryden Agway hardware store on 59 W. Main St. in the village.

Cooking in the Park begins in July

Cooking in the Park, a Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County program, begins in July.

The program, for parents with children aged eight and older, is a free six-week summer series. Participants will cook delicious and seasonal recipes, explore local parks and playgrounds, have fun and eat free food.

Cooking in the Park will be held on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at various locations, including:

• July 14 – Dryden Lake Park Pavilion, Lake Road
• July 21 – Groton Memorial Park, Pasadena Avenue
• July 28 – Montgomery Park in the Village of Dryden
• Aug. 4 – Stewart Park in Ithaca
• Aug. 11 – Groton Avenue Park in the Village of Freeville
• Aug. 18 – Groton Memorial Park, Pasadena Avenue

For questions or information on how to register for the program, email Mandy Beem-Miller at ab2529@cornell.edu.

State Police to check child seats in Freeville

New York State Police from Troop C will host a child safety seat check in the village of Freeville in June.

The event is scheduled for June 19 and 21 at the state police barracks at 1850 Dryden Rd. Technicians will check whether seats are properly installed, while also checking to see if the seat is subject to recall.

Appointments are preferred but not required. To make an appointment, call 607-561-7604.

The state police remind drivers that children younger than two years of age must ride in a rear-facing seat; children under four years of age must ride in a child-safety seat; and children under eight years of age must ride in a child-restraint system.

For more information, go to dmv.ny.gov/more-info/safety-restraints.