Cook Family Foundation

The Cook Family Foundations wants success for both our best nonprofits and for our best students. We support community organizations through the NonProfit Capacity Building program, and we provide scholarships to the University of Michigan for graduates of ten area high schools.  We also strive to bring these two program efforts together by supporting internships in Shiawassee County.

Our goal is to bring talented young people back to our community for a summer’s employment.  This helps nonprofits by providing them with the best and the brightest to help with a definable project. This helps students by giving them an opportunity put their skills to work, learn more about their community from a new perspective, and gain additional financial support for their continued education. Here are accounts from recent internships:

Hunter Glew – helping out with the Children’s Summer Adventure Camp at the Shiawassee Arts Center.

Shiawassee Arts Center Welcomed Intern, Hunter Glew

University of Michigan Sophomore and 2017 Corunna High School Graduate, Hunter Glew, spent her summer helping the Shiawassee Arts Center’s Arts Education Director, Linda Ruehle, to plan and implement classes for both the senior’s and children’s art program. Hunter is studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience. She intends to eventually attain a doctoral degree to work as a professor and researcher with a focus on deaf culture, or her new-found interest–art therapy. Hunter noted, “I’ve now been able to see firsthand how the various art programs can take students away from outside stresses, and how it can create an outlet for all those participating.  I am so thankful to have helped create that for so many people this summer.

Here’s Anna Clarizio (in pink) – during The Arc Summer Camp with (from L-R) Jesse McGuire, Allison Grubb, and Jonathan Hannifan at Junction of Hope Restaurant in Chesaning.

Summer Camp Help at the Arc Shiawassee from Intern, Anna Clarizio

Anna Clarizio, a Senior at Central Michigan University working toward a career in Special Education, interned with The Arc Shiawassee–assisting with the planning and execution of every aspect of the camp program.  “Anna was a vital part of our six-week day camp for teens and adults with developmental disabilities this summer,” announced Executive Director, Lynn Grubb.  “Without Anna, our program would not have been as successful.  We are hopeful she will come back next summer and take over as Camp Program Director.”

Madison Van Epps (R) and Terry Horton (L) working the HepA outreach booth for the Shiawassee County Health Department.

 Madison Van Epps – Shiawassee County Health Department Intern

University of Michigan Senior and Owosso High School graduate, Madison Van Epps, got involved in many aspects of the Shiawassee County Health Department this summer.  Madison was responsible for the social media campaign in the county’s quest to raise awareness about Hepatitis A, as well as the data entry.  In addition, she also handled the department’s “How did you hear about us” family planning survey, and enhanced the department’s social media and community presence by creating an Instagram account, as well as posters and videos, and even some give-aways.   Another key duty involved interviewing local community stakeholders in order to conduct a needs assessment regarding what the Health Department could help with in the ongoing county problem of obesity.  And lastly, Madison designed a new poster and rack card to give away at outreach events with the local SafeCenter called, Smart 911. “She did it all!” notes Larry Johnson, Shiawassee County Health Department Director. 

Harrison Miller (Center) with Justin Horvath, SEDP President/CEO (L) and Brent Jones (R), Vice President at the newly refurbished Armory.

Meet Harrison Miller, Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership Summer Intern

Harrison Miller, a rising Junior at the University of Michigan studying Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing, got a chance to put some of his learning experience to work with the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership (SEDP) throughout the summer. His projects included a major update of the organization’s website, and Harrison also provided research development for the organization in support of upcoming programming.  President/CEO, Justin Horvath, shared, “Thanks to Harrison Miller for being part of the SEDP team this summer. We enjoyed having him as our intern, and are grateful for his contributions to our program.”

Tyson Moore with Bruce and Jacqueline Cook

Once again, the Cook Family Foundation is providing a scholarship to every high school senior from the greater Shiawassee County region attending the University of Michigan.  This fall, twenty young men and women from nine area high schools will enroll at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

The future Wolverines were recognized at a dinner on May 10.  Special guest at the event was Dr. Martin Philbert, Provost and Executive Vice President of the University of Michigan.  Philbert, the former dean of the U-M School of Public Health was educated in Great Britain, earning a bachelor of science degree from the University of Cambridge and medical degree from the London Royal Medical School.  He began his academic career at Rutgers University and joined the U-M faculty in 1995. Dr. Martin’s message to students: “The most important reason for coming (to U-M) is the way you’ll be challenged to think hard, to ask critical questions, analyze from many perspectives and develop complex solutions to problems.”

At the reception, Tyson Moore, senior of Corunna High School, was awarded the Bruce & Jacqueline Cook Scholarship. This four-year, full tuition scholarship is funded separately from the Foundation by its namesakes. Tyson is the son of Michael and Jennifer Moore, and plans to pursue a major in biochemistry with the goal of becoming a medical researcher. At CHS, he is a member of the concert and marching bands, and was a drum major for two years. He is an accomplished member of the swim team, and has served as captain and lifeguard, and is a proud member of the National Honor Society. Accepting the award, Moore shared, “I’m extremely grateful. I can’t fathom the generosity of someone who wants to pay for me to learn and someday help others.”

Brendan Dewley of Owosso, Dr. Martin Philbert, Provost & Vice President of U-M, and Tom Cook

Brendan Dewley, Owosso High School senior, is the recipient of the Donald Cook Scholarship. He has been the vice president of the student government at OHS for two years, and is a member of the quiz bowl team and National Honor Society.  He has played tennis and worked on the robotics team, and is employed at Bob Evans restaurant. He is the son of Josh and Lynnette Dewley and the interests he intends to pursue at U-M include communications, political science and social change, leading to a career as a television writer, journalist or possibly a lawyer. “I am very grateful for everything the Cooks have done,” said Dewley.  “It’s going to put me at ease knowing I have their support.”

The Donald Cook Scholarship is awarded by the University of Michigan to a student attending the College of Literature, Science and the Arts and provides $5,000 per year for four years at U-M. It has been financially supported by the Cook Family Foundation in recognition of the Foundation’s founder.  In 2017, the Foundation entered a multi-year funding agreement to endow the scholarship in perpetuity at the University.

Of the twenty scholarship recipients, in addition to the Bruce and Jackie Scholarship winner, Tyson Moore from Corunna High School and Brendan Dewley of Owosso High School there are students from nine area high schools, with three valedictorians (Kathryn Beeman of Ovid-Elsie, Ryan Kingsbury of Laingsburg, and Nicholas Mazarra of Durand) and two salutatorians (Christopher Mars of Corunna and Spencer Wood of Morrice). Other scholarship winners were: from Byron, Olivia Howard and Ian Wilsdon; from Corunna, Ramneet Chauhan, and Michael Miller, Jr.; from Laingsburg, Matthew Nickols and Emma Smith; from New Lothrop, Michael Kieffer and Rebekah Riley; from Owosso, Jake Bacigal, Abigail Brainerd, Daniel Clevenger and Damien Moore, Jr.; and from Perry, Trent Ivey.

For more information on the Foundation’s scholarships, visit this page.

The performing arts center at Marshall High School, designed by the same team as working on the Owosso Schools project

The Cook Family Foundation is proud to announce a $1.1 million commitment to the Owosso Public Schools for the completion of an auditorium in the new Owosso High School/Middle School building. “We believe we are at our best as a community when we come together to accomplish big tasks,” said Tom Cook, the Foundation’s Executive Director.  “When I think back over the last 25 years, I can think of no greater collaboration and no more important achievement than the passage of the Owosso Public Schools bond proposal on November 7, 2017.”

That bond measure provides funding for a multi-purpose performance space.  The grant from the Cook Family Foundation will fund enhancements to create a true auditorium for theatrical performances as well as band and choral concerts.

The enhancements include theater rigging and arbor pit, theatrical drapery and orchestra shell, lighting and audio visual equipment, and an orchestra pit with cover. “We believe the arts are a central component of a quality education, and this auditorium will enable excellence in the performing arts in Owosso,” said Tom Cook.

“The arts develop well-rounded individuals who are creative thinkers, communicators, and problem solvers,” notes Andrea Tuttle, Superintendent of the Owosso Public Schools.  “With a true auditorium Owosso students will have daily accessibility to a space that will foster cross-curricular learning to develop communication, technology, and public speaking skills,” notes Tuttle.

The Cook Family Foundation has a long history with the Owosso Schools.  It’s benefactor, Donald Cook, graduated from Owosso High School in 1920, as have several other family members. Two trustees of the Foundation, Jacqueline Cook and Laurie Caszatt Cook, previously served on the Owosso School Board. Trustee Anna Owens currently serves on the Performing Arts Committee.

Previously, the Foundation has provided grants for implementation and teacher training for the International Baccalaureate Program, mini-grants for classrooms, and landscaping.  In addition, the Foundation has provided over 150 scholarships to Owosso High School graduates to attend the University of Michigan.

The $1.1 million grant is extraordinary funding above and beyond the Foundation’s usual grant-making, which last year totaled $719,000.  “We are committed to the Shiawassee County community,” said Tom Cook. “We have no plans to scale back our support for early childhood and other educational endeavors, our Nonprofit Capacity Building Program, or environmental efforts centered around the Shiawassee River and the Saginaw Bay Watershed.”

To learn more about the bond project, contact the Owosso Public Schools

Angela Miller, a member of the Owosso High School Class of 2013, recently graduated from the University of Michigan and delivered a student speech at Winter Commencement on December 17, 2017.  Angie majored in gender and health in the Women’s Studies Department at the College of Literature, Science and Arts and has plans to pursue graduate work in global health policy.

Angie was recognized as a Shiawassee Scholar in eighth grade and was supported by this program in her high school career.  She received a Cook Family Foundation scholarship in 2013 to help launch her career at the University of Michigan.  Her first year she took advantage of the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) and was able to learn about psychiatry first-hand by participating in a project entitled “Brain Activity During Emotional Processing and Regulation.”  This was the first of several positive research experiences at UM in psychology and public health.

Over spring break her first year she was able to travel to Peru on a medical volunteer mission trip.  She also got certifications from the US Agency for International Development. This led to further overseas work in Grenada, Nicaragua, and Tanzania.  In the US, she got clinical experience at two hospitals and worked with the Michigan Women’s Justice & Clemency Project, assisting battered women at the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility.  She has also taken the time to mentor girls and young women about careers in science and healthcare.

Her achievements were not without struggles. In her commencement speech she noted that “we all have gone through difficult times at Michigan, but we all persevered and are much stronger, more confident, and resilient than when we started this journey.”  We are proud of her achievements.

When our community confronts its most difficult problems, we need all hands on deck.  Substance abuse has been a persistent problem in our community affecting those of all ages, income levels, and life situations.  If we hope to reduce the prevalence and impact of drugs in Shiawassee County, we need help from all quarters of the community. The causes of drug abuse are many, and thus a broad variety of solutions are needed.  Recently, dozens of organizations, agencies, and other partners have come together to form the Alliance for a Drug-Free Shiawassee.  On Saturday, November 4 from 8:30 a.m. to noon, many people are coming together in a community action planning effort.  They are inviting participation from all at the Owosso Free Methodist Church at 1249 N. Chipman St. in Owosso.

The Cook Family Foundation believes strongly in collaboration, and we support coordinated efforts to make a collective impact in Shiawassee County.  In our community we have several nonprofits working hard to achieve their mission.  We have government agencies with professionals committed to serving local residents.  And we have many caring people, some organized by civic commitment, family, and faith. All of these are assets.  None of them is sufficient to solve substance abuse.  Even if they had more grants or volunteers, none of them alone could eliminate the destructive presence of drugs.

None of us alone is as smart or as effective as all of us together. We need not only the contributions and efforts of many stakeholders, but we need a collective plan of action to make the best use of our resources.  Coming up with such a plan is the primary purpose of the November 4 gathering.  Those in attendance will address three questions:  1) What are the problems in our community?  2) What are the barriers that keep us from solving these problems?  3) What are your suggestions for solutions?

The Alliance for a Drug-Free Shiawassee is seeking to apply for a federal grant to have Shiawassee County be designated a Drug Free Community.  Such a designation would provide the community with up to $125,000 per year for 10 years to fight substance abuse.  The stipulations for such a grant application are demanding, and require clear evidence of community collaboration.  In order build the local capacity, Shiawassee Hope and several other partners (Catholic Charities, Taylor Life Center, DOT Caring Center, Recovery Pathways, First United Methodist Church, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Salvation Army, Owosso Public Schools, Corunna Public Schools, Shiawassee County Circuit Court, Shiawassee County Prosecutors Office, Shiawassee County Sheriff, Owosso Police Department, Department of Health and Human Services, Shiawassee County Health Department, Department of Health and Human Services, and State Police MAGNET) have come together to establish the Alliance for a Drug-Free Shiawassee.  The Cook Family Foundation, Memorial Healthcare, and Shiawassee County Community Mental Health have come together to fund the work of collaboration, community planning, and professional assistance in grant application.  For more information, contact Marlene Webster at Shiawassee Hope.