

On Monday we welcomed fellow Elkhart Rotarian and Executive Director of Elkhart Education Foundation, Charmaine Torma!
Charmaine shared information about EEF, educational challenges faced by our community, and how EEF is addressing those challenges.
EEF, a 501(c)(3) organization, manages and expends funds received from donations that support the mission, vision and goals of the Elkhart Community Schools. EEF provides funds for innovative teaching practices, education programs and activities – Athletics, Arts, Academic Clubs/Service Organizations – that are outside of the parameters of the traditional operating budget for Elkhart Community Schools. The funds provided by EEF will be used to facilitate student achievement and skill development, to recognize and encourage staff excellence, and to cultivate community involvement from individuals, businesses and civic organizations.
For more about EEF visit: https://www.elkhartedfoundation.org/
Welcome back former member and longtime Rotarian Scott Franko! Scott and his wife are relocating back to the Elkhart area after several years away and are excited for the new adventures ahead. Scott was inducted back into our club membership on Monday.




Today we welcomed Andrew Wiand, Executive Director of enFocus. enFocus is a nonprofit with a novel approach to talent attraction and community development. They intentionally match graduates to high-impact projects with regional organizations to provide meaningful professional experiences. To date, they have employed over 1,000 Fellows and Interns on over 250 projects. These collaborations not only deliver innovative solutions for local organizations, they inspire young professionals to stay in our region.
Andrew provided an update on the organization's growth across sectors, projects, and retention of recent graduates in Elkhart County.
For more information visit: https://en-focus.org/
For Andrew's bio visit: https://en-focus.org/team
Our club's Rotary Foundation Chair, Howard Edwards, presented FOUR Paul Harris Fellow recognitions to dedicated donor Tom Neat, who continues to give to the Foundation in the names of his family members. THANK YOU, Tom, for your continued support of the Rotary Foundation and all of the great work Rotary does around the world.
Sergeant's Chair Anthony Hunt gave a master class in enunciation and tongue-twisters from the podium for today's fun fines. A reminder, your fines support local not for profits through grants from the Donations Committee. Give early, give often, your support furthers the missions of local organizations who expand our ability to make our community a better place in which to live, work, and play.
Indiana Youth Institute’s 2023 "State of the Child" Presentation

- Tami Silverman, President & CEO
- Taylor Johnson, Policy & Data Advocacy Manager
- Chelsea Naylor, Northwest Outreach Manager
Tami and Taylor presented the Indiana Youth Institute’s 2023 State of the Child. We learned about the key data on Hoosier youth well-being from the newly released Indiana Youth Institute 2023 Indiana KIDS COUNT® Data Book and County Dashboard. IYI's 2023 KIDS COUNT® Data Book examines the overall well-being of Indiana kids, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and continuation of racial and ethnic disparities in outcomes across four domains, Family & Community, Health, Economic Well-Being, and Education.
IYI’s President & CEO, Dr. Tami Silverman and Taylor Johnson, Policy & Data Advocacy Manager, highlighted the most recent information and trends in the Elkhart area. Access to reliable, high-quality data and resources empowers and equips leaders, policymakers, youth workers, and advocates with a go-to, trusted source to create positive change for Indiana youth.
Dr. Tami Silverman, DPA
After being raised in Bloomington, Indiana by a family of educators and having 25 years of experience managing teams to create positive impact and lasting change, Tami Silverman leads the vision of the Indiana Youth Institute by constructing and implementing strategies to fulfill IYI’s mission of statewide child success. Tami serves as the organization’s primary spokesperson, advocating for programs, innovations, and policies that benefit children and youth. Tami brings to IYI a clear understanding of the challenges faced by many children and families through her experience in family violence prevention and youth leadership and service. It was while working with thousands of homeless, often traumatized children that she confronted first-hand how some children face seemingly insurmountable challenges while others are born with immense resources and support. This has sparked her passion for equity, ensuring that all children can reach their full potential. She currently serves on the Indiana Department of Workforce Development’s Cabinet Youth Committee, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education’s Partnership Pentagon, the Indiana Criminal Justice Authority’s Juvenile Justice State Advisory Group, the board of directors for the Center for Sports Transformation and Indiana University’s Society of Aeons.