The Nathan Yip Foundation celebrated its annual sushi party on June 27 at The Dome at AMG, hosted by AMG Bank, to fundraise for its upcoming projects in support of education initiatives in rural Colorado. Chef Miki Hashimoto of Tokio Restaurant provided delicious made-to-order sushi, and Gerry & Fred Miale donated the bar service.
Executive Director Tarika Cefkin welcomed guests and acknowledged that this was the first in-person event the foundation has hosted in over a year. Founders Linda and Jimmy Yip inducted three past board members to their emeritus board: Okie Arnot, Christine Gillette, and David Thomson.
According to Cefkin: “After the uncertainties of 2020, we’re thrilled to announce over $70,000 in grant funding for eight educational projects - plus an additional $80,000 in anticipated grant funding later this fall.”
Board Chair Jon Olafson shared updates about upcoming projects. Three districts in Akron, Johnstown/Milliken, and Vilas, Colorado are receiving support from the Nathan Yip Foundation to design and launch general construction vocational training programs. The foundation is excited to give students alternate pathways with this unique career training opportunity.
The Lone Star School near Otis, CO is implementing a program called Adulting 101, where students earn badges for various training days on topics such as financial literacy (i.e. personal budgeting), life skills (i.e. changing a tire), college/career readiness (i.e. etiquette and public speaking skills), and more. The Bennett School District is looking for ways for their immigrant parent population to engage with teachers in a more meaningful way, so the foundation is funding textbooks for an after-school English language class.
The Nathan Yip Foundation is also partnering with the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe this summer to bring a youth outdoor education camp to middle and high schoolers on the reservation. Students will spend a week camping in the outdoors learning about Ute culture and traditions, with elders leading sessions on beadwork, drum making, tipi setting, native plant identification and traditional cooking, Ute language, and more.
Learn more about the Nathan Yip Foundation or donate to their projects at: nathanyipfoundation.org.
