What is economic freedom, anyway?

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Our founder, Mr. Chet Dekko, was absolutely, positively, passionate about economic freedom.  So much so that, with the fruits of his life’s work, he started a foundation to help future generations have the same access to economic freedom that he held dear.

So, what is economic freedom anyway?

We’re glad you asked.  Here are some definitions that we think are spot-on…and inspirational as the dickens!

  • Economic freedom means producing more than you consume.
  • Economic freedom is the ultimate liberty to make choices about one’s own life.

What are the steps toward economic freedom?  We think that:

  • Economic freedom begins with education.   Learning helps a person to build valuable skills and knowledge.
  • Possessing skills and knowledge opens the door to opportunities.
  • The more opportunities a person has, the more chances he or she has to be productive.
  • When a person’s production outpaces consumption, then economic freedom appears.

So, how do these beliefs direct our work?

We invest in projects that help children and youth, up to age 18, build the skills, knowledge and character that they’ll need to travel the path toward economic freedom.

What is your definition of economic freedom?  We’d love to know!

 

Helicopters can’t hover over camp!

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campfire

Quick!  Name a memory from summer camp! Did you think about your cabin?  S’mores around the campfire? The polar bear swim?  What about saying goodbye to Mom and Dad?

At the Dekko Foundation we’re often asked to support summer camps.  So we’ve been thinking a lot about camps and how they support children’s growth and development.

Pastor Mark Radloff, executive director of Indiana’s Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, gave us some interesting thoughts about what camps do for children.  He told us that most children who go to camp want to swim, canoe or tell ghost stories around the fire.  However, he believes that they gain much more than fun experiences.  He says that they also gain a sense of adventure, self-regulation, leadership, risk management and social skills.

In Mark’s blog he writes, “The truth about building character is this:  Maturation of social skills requires rejection; nurturing self-reliance requires loneliness; acquiring a sense of adventure requires fear; boosting self-esteem requires failure, learning emotional regulation requires loss; promoting unselfishness requires hardship, increasing kindness requires crowding and establishing secure attachment requires homesickness.”

As adults we SO want to protect our children that society has coined a term for that protection:  helicopter parenting.  In Mark’s words above though, it is so profoundly pointed out that, by not being rescued, children build many of the character traits that will help them through life.

Maybe one of the best things about camp is simply this:  Helicopters can’t hover for an entire week!

Art, art! It makes you smart!

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colorfulkids

Last week some of our co-workers attended a conference in California.  Over lunch they talked with a woman who runs an after school art program.  She stated that art and music are no longer part of the school day—so programs like hers are especially important for children.

At the Dekko Foundation we’d heard rumors that the arts were being squeezed from schools, so last year we did a little informal poll.  Good news.  No! Great news!  We found out that, in our grantmaking areas at least, the arts are alive and well in public and private schools!

We think that’s great news because we’ve come to believe that participation in the arts:

  • Promotes creative problem-solving, and the ability to apply learning across different disciplines.
  • Results in positive outcomes including deeper engagement and better retention.

Just a little distinction…it’s participation in music, painting, dancing etc. that brings about the positives above…not watching someone else do them!

We’re pleased to offer our Arts Partnership Grants to elementary and middle schools across our grantmaking areas.  These grants are open to both public and private school teachers who want to boost the arts education that they’re able to offer students in their classrooms.  If teachers apply this spring, they’ll have the money they need to implement their ideas next fall!

Follow this link for all of the information on Arts Partnership Grants:  Arts Parts Application

 

If you know an art or music teacher encourage them to apply.  And don’t delay.  Our deadline is Friday, April 4.

I’ve had an absolutely horrible day!

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What do you want most when you’ve had a lousy day?  A cold shoulder? Or a nice warm foot rub and a five-minute personal pity party?

Children have emotional needs too and, too often, busy adults minimize their needs with the equivalent of a cold shoulder.  This link will take you to a great piece about children’s emotional needs.   The author offers ways that adults can help children deal with their feelings and go forward in positive ways.

At the Dekko Foundation we say: “Great things happen when adults step back and consider what children need to grow and develop!”  It’s surprising (or maybe not SO surprising) how so many of the things children need are EXACTLY what we adults need too!

 

I GOT one!!!!!

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Was your grandpa standing beside you the day that you caught your first fish?

 fishing

 

Did you celebrate holidays by getting more frosting on yourself and your mom than on the actual sugar cookie?

Childhood experiences make us the adults we become in SO many ways!

It’s no surprise then, that research shows philanthropy and community service are learned skills.  If you helped your mom make soup for a sick neighbor, it’s likely you do the same thing today (OK, maybe you get the soup from the Panera drive-thru…but still.).  If your church youth group raked leaves for elderly members, today you probably look around your community today for ways to help.

At the Dekko Foundation, we want to help children learn about philanthropy by DOING!   Doing what? Doing important things that will make their community better…and cement that all-important philanthropy gene for later.

One group of teens we know is remodeling the amphitheater in their town park…they’re hoping to be done in time for summer concerts.  Another sure winner is the Senior Prom…a social event for senior citizens that builds relationships and dance partners across generations!

Follow this link to learn more about our youth philanthropy grants!  Feel free to pass the word on to both kids and adults.