The Lincolnland Exchange Clubs Foundation for Youth is the fundraising arm of The Lincolnland District Exchange Clubs, supporting Exchange Club members as they inspire communities to become better places to live through projects in Americanism, Community Service, Youth Programs, and the National Project - the prevention of child abuse.
About Us
VISION STATEMENT
Raise sustainable funds necessary to make The Lincolnland Exchange Clubs Foundation for Youth the leader in the prevention of child abuse and the premier service club in the United States.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Lincolnland Exchange Clubs Foundation for Youth is the fundraising arm of the Lincolnland District Exchange Clubs, supporting the youth scholarship programs of the District.
The Lincolnland Exchange Clubs (LEC) Foundation for Youth was established in 2006.
Today, the LEC Foundation for Youth helps fund the work of local-level Exchange Clubs and Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Centers as they develop and maintain community-based prevention of child abuse programs. The Foundation also supports Exchange’s Programs of Service: Americanism, Community Service, and Youth Programs.
Exchange’s National Project, the prevention of child abuse
Exchange Parent Aide - While the LEC Foundation for Youth funds a variety of child abuse awareness programs, the most successful method of countering child abuse is through working directly with parents using the Exchange’s evidence-based signature program, the Exchange Parent Aide home-visitation model. Along with The National Exchange Club (NEC) Foundation coordinates a nationwide network of community-based Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Centers that utilize the Exchange Parent Aide program and provide support to families at-risk for abuse. To date, Exchange Club Centers have helped more than 778,300 families break the cycle of abuse, thus creating safe and stable homes for 1.8million children. The LEC Foundation for Youth provides funding for training, accreditation, technical support, guidance in agency development and management, and other supportive services.
Public Awareness Campaigns - The LEC Foundation for Youth believes in the importance of educating the public about the serious implications of child abuse and preventable causes of harm to children. Working in collaboration with Exchange’s prevention experts, the LEC Foundation for Youth utilizes quality brochures, public service announcements, and other materials to educate people about child abuse and how it can be prevented. Believe in the Blue, Time-Out Teddy, Parent Cheat Sheets, and other programs provide effective tools to parents about handling challenging situations that can create risk for abuse.
National Child Abuse Prevention Month - The LEC Foundation for Youth and The National Exchange Club (NEC) Foundation endorse the month of April each year as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Exchange’s National Headquarters produces an annual Child Abuse Prevention Month kit, which includes public awareness project ideas, public relations information, promotional materials, and community involvement suggestions.
the national exchange club programs of service - americanism, community service, youth projects
During the 1940’s, Exchange had organized its club activities around seven areas of service that included: education, agriculture, aviation, citizenship, commerce and industry, federal youth rehabilitation, youth, and geriatrics.
Today, three Programs of Service and Exchange’s National Project are lenses through which local clubs focus their energy and attention on their communities’ specific needs. The Programs of Service are Americanism, Community Service, and Youth Programs.
Americanism - Exchange’s ongoing efforts for the promotion of Americanism focus on the education and enlightenment of our Nation’s youth and fellow citizens that the freedom and greatness we enjoy today were hard-won and must be cherished and protected. Some examples include: Establishment of Freedom Shrines, an impressive presentation of replica documents highlighting our nation’s history, installed at public sites across the country; GiveAKidAFlagToWave, where members distribute small American Flags at parades and other civic events; Proudly We Hail, which encourages and recognizes the regular and proper display of the American Flag; and One Nation Under God (ONUG), celebrated in November to honor the precious freedom Americans have to worship as they choose.
Community Service - Exchange clubs across the country spend countless hours and resources to improve the lives of people in the communities they serve. Exchange Clubs have been responsible for community improvements such as: providing relief efforts to victims of disasters, sponsoring cultural programs, art and industrial shows, state and county fairs, festivals, rodeos and athletic events. Exchange Clubs have also provided millions of dollars for scholarships, gifts, equipment, sponsorships, and educational endeavors. Some Exchange Clubs target crime and fire prevention programs, while others focus on service to senior citizens. Whatever the community’s need, Exchange Club members are here to help.
Youth Projects - Exchange believes that recognition of well-deserving youth can have an impact on his or her entire future. The most popular recognition awards are: The Youth of the Month/Year Award, the A.C.E. (Accepting the Challenge of Excellence) Award, and the Young Citizenship Award. They include speech and essay contests, reading projects and more. Exchange Excel Clubs, in high schools and Collegiate Clubs, in colleges, have been established and are designed to provide mentoring as a means to teaching leadership and civic responsibility to the Nation’s up-and-coming youth and young adults.