Why YOU should care about YPAL Cares

by Maria Sieckman – YPAL Cares Director

Wouldn’t it be cool if YPAL could partner with Habitat for Humanity to build a LEED Certified house? Or develop a signature leadership development program especially for its members? Or what if YPAL had a reunion to keep former YPAL leaders engaged and connected? Check, check and check.

A Little Bit of History

Ten years after YPAL was established, YPAL Cares (Cares) was founded as separate 501(c)3 organization with the purpose of providing financial support to YPAL and our community. Cares sought out to better our community by enticing, educating and enabling Louisville’s Young Professionals to invest in their community.

Soon after its founding, Cares partnered with Habitat for Humanity to raise funds and to support construction for Kentucky’s first Platinum LEED Certified house. Cares has also sponsored programs and initiatives like YPAL’s Community Connections and Special Olympics’ Regional Games, and has funded Louisville teachers to attend the Kentucky Council on Economic Education Conference. This internal and external support demonstrate Cares’ mission to provide leadership development, educational opportunities and philanthropic support for Louisville’s young professionals to benefit the local community.

Supporting Emerging Leaders

Recently YPAL has developed the Emerging Leaders Program, which focuses on self-awareness, values, communication and behavioral style to inspire YPAL members to become more effective leaders. The first class graduated in this ppring and another class has already begun. Cares supports this program, and our community’s future leaders by underwriting grants for supplies and other program costs. Cares will continue to be a larger partner in the program to ensure its ongoing success and expansion of not only program participants, but also our community at large.

Aligning Our Mission

If you care about YPAL and our community’s young talent, you should care about YPAL Cares. YPAL Cares offers opportunities for fundraising and philanthropic support for YPAL and other organizations that align with YPAL’s strategic priorities and interests. The Cares and YPAL Boards partner closely and each is represented at the other’s board meetings and events to ensure we are working toward a common purpose–providing opportunities that make Louisville a better place with and for young professionals. Still in its early years, Cares has already made a great impact on the community and will continue to work toward making Louisville an even better place to live, work and play.

Want to show your support?

1. Attend our fundraising night at the Village Anchor on Sunday, August 11 from 5 -10 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from food and beverage sales will go to YPAL Cares. Please come and bring a friend!
2. Donate today @ ypal.org/cares
3. Spread the word! Share what you know about YPAL Cares with others and be on the lookout for future opportunities to support, volunteer or join our Board.

About Maria Sieckman

Maria has been a member of YPAL Cares since 2011. She served as Vice Chair (2012) on the YPAL Cares Board prior to serving as Chair (2013). In addition to YPAL, she is also involved in the Junior League of Louisville and leads an Employee Resource Group at Yum! Brands where she works as an HR Staffing Leader.