Krista and Bret Parrish combined what mattered to them when they created Experience Life Connected two years ago. They brought together a passion for seeing children in Hamilton grow up strong with a long time commitment to the local Boys and Girls Club, and swirled in a passion for intentionally bringing together the organizations that make our community great. It turns out that they also brought quite a lot of fun to the table.
The start of the organization was motivated by a desire to positively impact the community. While on a walk together, Krista and Bret Parrish had a conversation about how to be intentional about change. Krista Parrish explained that “I asked Bret, ‘What’s stopping us from acting and moving forward?’ The answer was nothing!’” This was when they began working toward a new organization that could provide a valuable contribution in the community.
“I asked Bret, ‘What’s stopping us from acting and moving forward?’ The answer was nothing!’”
Experience Life Connected seeks to provide children with the kinds of experiences that will help them bond with others and have positive connections with both adult community members and other children. The organization accomplishes this by offering excursions and fun outings to groups of children at the Boys and Girls Club. These events might not be feasible without outside sponsorship.
The Experience fund focuses primarily on finding community organizations who want to sponsor a specific event for children and helping them with logistics of qualified chaperones and any funding they may need. Parrish said, “Our fund is stretched really far because of this community support; otherwise, we’d go through the fund quickly.”
The Experience fund is housed at the Hamilton Community Foundation and is thus tax-deductible. Children “earn” their experiences by attending the Boys and Girls Club regularly, participating in homework club, and having good behavior while they are there. When children see that they can get access to excursions like going to see a Experience Life Connected: Learning and Fun on Exciting Excursions play or going to camp, they are more excited to participate frequently and consistently at the Club.
In addition to excursions, there are guest speakers who visit the students to inspire and teach them. The children also visit Miami University and experience elements of the college experience including visiting with the Marching Band and sports teams. “When a guidance counselor says, ‘do you want to go to college?’ in high school, we want them to have a positive experience to associate with college,” Parrish explained.
The biggest event of the year is sending children to YMCA Camp Campbell Gard for a week. Many of the children have never had an opportunity to participate in camp activities like canoeing, ropes courses, or horseback riding. To get accustomed to the idea of a week at camp, the children spend a day at the camp in May before they decide whether or not to attend camp later in the summer. This day trip helps the younger, inexperienced children to realize how much fun they can have at camp and helps them get excited about the longer trip to come. The positive memories after a week of camp last for many years and can create bonding moments in the future if the chance to discuss camp with others arises.
Overall, the Fund hopes to continue partnering with both donors and local organizations to create these experiences for children who otherwise might not get access to these opportunities. To learn more about the Experience Fund, check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/experiencelifeconnected or reach out to the Hamilton Community Foundation at 513-863-1717.