Highlights of 2023
The Wolf Lake Neighbors Foundation, Inc.
"Building Stronger Communities Together”
Dear Wolf Lake neighbors,
We are writing to thank you, our friends and supporters who have donated your time and financial support to The Wolf Lake Neighbors Foundation (WLNF), which has enabled us to assist our neighbors in Wurtsboro, Rock Hill and Monticello this year.
We had a busy year and wanted to share all that we’ve accomplished with your support. We will outline our finances, grants, community outreach, and plans for next year.
A. Financial snapshot
We raised $9,256 from 40 individual donors and local business sponsors! The names of the business sponsors are listed on our website, and they deserve our thanks and continued support.
We made $6,500 in grants, as described below and incurred expenses of $324.
B. Literacy
WLNF worked to address illiteracy in our area with two specific grants and joint project with Chase Bank.
1. Literacy Volunteers of Sullivan County (LVSC): $2,500
This grant enabled LVSC to hire a teacher and to offer an additional English as a Second Language (ESL) course for 12 months at their facility in Monticello. The course started in March 2023 and the literacy level was little or no English, except for basic greetings. The class was added to the schedule and has been attended by an additional 20-25 new ESL students. Executive Director, Angela Dutcher, was pleased with the attendance records and the grant WLNF provided to offer this class.
We have been asked to support the ESL course for another year due to increase in immigration in the Monticello area.
2. Mamakating Library $3,000
This grant is a follow-up grant after last year’s grant which successfully prevented the “summer slide” for participating children. This year's grant covered funds for four programs:
Tutoring of Grade 5 ”At Risk” Students: 3 students classified as on the cusp of special education classification were given summer classes to prevent the “summer skills slide”. All made progress in the areas of enhanced Lexile scores and fluency - testing closer to grade level norms.
Tutoring of Grade 2 “At Risk” Students: 2 students identified as Tier 3 - intervention, receiving the most help in school, with identified learning disabilities were given summer tutoring sessions to prevent summer learning loss. Although testing showed small progress, the teacher felt that the additional skills and reading practice was a success for these learners.
Kindergarten Prep: This pre-K program prepared six students for their first school experience. In a pre-K screening, these children were identified with low readiness skills. Instruction was provided in social skills, phonics, and letter writing and recognition. All performed close to or above grade norms.
Teen Intern: A teen intern was hired to help with all programs and general library duties. The intern gained confidence and experience which led to her applying for a local after-school job.
C. Community Outreach
In addition to grants, we have been working on other initiatives to support our local community. Here are two examples:
1. Rock Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corps (RHVAC): $1,000
In conjunction with the RHVAC we hosted an event at the Clubhouse -What do you do in an Emergency? This event was well attended and received favorable press coverage (see our website for details). We presented a Certificate of Achievement to Neal Meddaugh in recognition of his 45 years’ service to our community ,and made a donation of $1,000 to RHVAC.
2. Children's Winter Clothing Drive:
We organized the first Kids Winter Clothing Drive over the Thanksgiving Holiday for the benefit of children in Monticello. Over 60 children's coats were donated plus over 20 bundles of clothing, including many new items, as well as diapers and baby wipes. Our donations will be distributed by a local Monticello charity.
D. Advisory Committee
We started to organize an Advisory Committee of prominent community leaders who can recommend to us what they see as the most critical needs in Thompson and Mamakating. The first two members are:
1. Fr. Bob Porpora: Currently Pastor of St. Peter’s Church in Monticello, NY. Fr. Bob’s family has deep roots in the community since the 1920’s. He graduated from Monticello High School and earned a B.S. degree in accounting from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1981. He was ordained a priest in 1990 and his assignments have included, St. Ann’s in Yonkers, Our Lady Star of the Sea in Staten Island, Holy Cross in South Centerville and St. Denis in Hopewell Junction. He has volunteered at prison facilities and the Drug Rehabilitation Center in Monticello.
2. Mike Taylor: Lifelong area resident, worked at a young age with his family’s propane gas and heating oil company started in 1968 which does business in the tri-state area. Currently Mike serves as president of Combined Energy Services, All Gas & Welding Supply Co, Tri-State Carbonation, Wechsler Pool Supply, Strongtown Self Storage & most recently purchased the Holiday Mountain ski area in Bridgeville, New York. Mike was a paramedic nights & weekends for 25+ years and is currently on the ski patrol at Plattekill Mountain in the Northern Catskills.
E. Sullivan County Democrat
We want to thank our local newspaper, Sullivan County Democrat, for their support and coverage. The importance of their role in sharing our work with the local community is invaluable. Their articles have aroused interest in and generated donations for the WLNF.