Partnerships

The foundation regularly partners with organizations in our community to provide robust and enriching opportunities for our students that stretch beyond the classroom. A few examples of these partnerships are:

Weber State University College Bound Event: This partnership allows our students to spend time on a university campus and realize that a college education is accessible and possible, encouraging them to pursue education beyond high school graduation. As part of this yearly event, students interact with WSU student leaders and athletes, tour the campus, participate in hands-on educational activities, and attend a men's basketball game. Even though our students live in Ogden, many have never visited Weber State or considered college as a future option. This program helps to foster a mindset of "When I go to college," rather than "If I go to college." The goal to attend college can change a child's life.  

Unified Sports - Special Olympics of Utah: Working with the district's Special Education Department, the foundation sponsors Unified Sports Teams through Special Olympics of Utah. This program promotes social inclusion through shared sports training and competition, with teams consisting of an equal number of people with and without intellectual disabilities. With unified teams created from each of our high schools, these dedicated athletes practice together and participate in regional tournaments in soccer and basketball. This is an incredibly impactful experience for these students, their team sponsors, and the entire school community who support them.

MarketStar Foundation - Voices for Change & Speak Out Summit: In partnership with the MarketStar Foundation, the foundation brings award-winning educator Ken Hopkins into our schools as part of the Voices for Change Program. This program is utilized in several school districts across the state and focuses on culture and leadership. At assemblies in our elementary schools, Ken shares messages about respecting differences to inspire more cooperation, understanding, and consideration of multiple perspectives. In our high schools, students participate in a full-day Speak Out Summit, with high-energy exercises and discussions to empower students with skills to develop empathy and connection, gaining a deeper understanding of what it takes to be an agent of change. Both students and school staff members have expressed how meaningful these experiences have been.

Young Automotive Group/Young Caring for Our Young Foundation: Our partnership with the Young Automotive Group/Young Caring for Our Young Foundation stretches across several key areas of need in our community. This includes Young Used Center's sponsorship of the Ben Lomond High School food pantry, Young Hyundai's distribution of Thanksgiving meals to families in need, the free Cast a Spell on Hunger Event at Young Mazda to provide families with a fun day out together while gathering food donations, Young Ford's support of the Odyssey Elementary Family Support Center to ensure essential items are available for families using the center, and the surprise gift of a new car to the Ogden School District's Teacher of the Year from Young Mazda. Additionally, the Young Caring For our Young Foundation creates thousands of pantry packs and hygiene kits, donates student backpacks, provides diaper bags to support our young mothers, and has clothed over 1,000 Ogden School District students through the KIND Fund. The impact of this partnership is felt across the district, supporting our children one student at a time.