Published Date: February 8, 2013
The Dater Foundation joined other supporters of Inner City Youth Opportunities at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse in December to celebrate the organization’s successes. The Foundation has made grants annually since 1997 and support totals nearly $500,000.
Foundation Director John Silvati made these remarks:
“ICYO is very much our kind of grant recipient. Grass roots … no one sitting in a corner office … no bureaucracy … no six-figure salaries. Jeanne and Phil Bell started ICYO because they wanted to give back and do something meaningful … they wanted to have a deep impact on the lives of the kids they work with. Tonight we’d like to congratulate Jeanne and Phil and all the volunteers and supporters who make ICYO the organization that it is.”
About ICYO …
Founded in 1993, Inner City Youth Opportunities' programs provide at-risk, low income children living within the City of Cincinnati limits a safe, nurturing environment to spend after school and summer hours … times when they are typically unsupervised by parents or guardians. There is no charge to any of the families for ICYO programs and services.
The philosophy of the organization is to work with the children year round to maintain a deeper connection with the children, their families and their schools. ICYO staff and volunteers serve as a consistent, positive role model in these children's lives, strengthening academic and social skills, and providing motivation and rewards to those excelling. Children are encouraged to participate year round through the Academic Intervention/Youth Development and Summer Tennis programs, and to stay with the organization until they reach the age limit.
Larry Cameron, a recent graduate of Miami (O.) University, was part of the ICYO program for seven years and learned some critical lessons. His comments: “There is a power in giving back. The Bells made the decision to give back and I am one small snapshot of how powerful giving back can be."
Jackie Walsh, who moved to North Carolina and graduated from McDowell Technical Community College, wrote this: “I know Inner City Youth Opportunities made a huge impact on me. I still have many fond memories of the summers spent playing tennis and going on trips. I remember everything they did for me as a child. I am hoping that whoever reads this message can please pass on to them that I miss them, and I think they are amazing people. I appreciate everything they did for me; I do not know how I would have ended up had it not been for their kindness.”
Learn more about Inner City Youth Opportunities at www.icyocincinnati.org.
Below: Director John Silvati, on left, talks with ICYO’s Phil Bell, who co-founded the organization with his wife Jeanne in 1993. 
