ABOUT US
CHIP IN Batavia:
Community Helpers Impacting People in Need
Our Mission
To support students/families in BPS District 101 in temporary housing situations or who are on free/reduced lunch program. To insure that students who are facing financial obstacles have their needs met to be successful in school and to participate in the same programs/activities as all students.
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It started in 2013, when a community member approached Lisa Palese about helping a family that she heard about who was homeless. Upon further invesitagation, she found out there were more than 50 students in Batavia living in temporary housing. A group of parents and community members quickly formed CHIP IN Batavia to support these students to give them the best educational experience possible. There are anywhere from 30-70 homeless students during the school years. In addition, there are over 1,000 students from low-income families that have a very difficult time making ends meet. With the incredible support from our community, we expanded to also help these low income families with their needs as well. We work with staff in administration and with staff at all 8 schools to identify student (and their family) needs. We can work very fast to get what is needed to help make their lives easier and more comfortable.
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
~Winston Churchill
Director of Student Services
Kari Ruh is the Director of Student Services and the Homeless Liaison for Batavia Schools. As of August 2019, there were over 40 students in the Batavia that are considered homeless. About 14% of the school population is on free/reduced lunch. Kari works with these families, and families in the Special Ed and Early Childhood programs, to ensure that students maximize learning by providing a continuum of services.
Kari Ruh
Director of Student Services/Homeless Liaison
Community Outreach Coordinator
Amy Nelson provides many support services, through Title One funds, as the Community Outreach Coordinator. She assists Kari Ruh, our Student Services Director, with the coordination of services and programs for our students currently facing homelessness and financial difficulties. She serves our Title One schools, helping those schools with existent and new programs offered to help bring more success for our students in academic distress. She works with CHIP IN , area churches, and community members to expand the support that Batavia can offer to students. We work very closely with Amy, as she vets the needs of families for CHIP IN. Amy has lived in Batavia for 45 years, is a Batavia graduate, a former Batavia teacher, is married to a Batavia teacher and coach, and has 3 children. Amy is grateful to be in such a wonderful community who supports and encourages our students, our District and our incredible city of Batavia.
CHIP IN Coordinators: We work directly with each school to help with specific student/family needs. We can work quickly to meet the needs that school administration and teachers recommend:
Melinda Kintz, co-chair, Batavia Apartments Liaison
Joanne Spitz, co-chair; BHS Liaison
Celeste Dalton, BHS Liaison
Diane Anderson, RMS Liaison (Batavia Woman's Club)
Bobbie VonLunen, RMS Liaison (Batavia Woman's Club)
Penny Whitting, HWS Liaison
Cindy Morgan, LWS Liaison
Amy Moore, AGS Liaison
Rona Foltos, AGS Liaison
Karen Yunker, HCS Liaison
Nancy Schmitz, JBN Liaison
Barb Theuerkamp, GMW Liaison
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