Local insurance agency raises money for youth services
August 7, 2017
Help Al Torstrick Insurance Agency earn an even larger donation to Arbor Youth Services. If their story is shared on social media 50 or more times by Aug. 13, Arbor Youth Services will receive an additional $5,000. Use the buttons and help them reach their goal!
Helping vulnerable youth in the community has long been a priority for Al Torstrick Insurance Agency in Lexington, Kentucky, but they found themselves searching for a new nonprofit to work with when the Florence Crittenton Home closed its doors after 119 years.
"We were devastated," said Ali Torstrick Johnson, the company's operations manager. "We wanted to find another youth-oriented organization to support."
Arbor Youth Services, which assists children and young adults in central Kentucky who have nowhere to go, was a perfect fit.
Agents from Al Torstrick Insurance Agency create weekend packs of food for kids who would go hungry if it weren't for this service from AYS.
The nonprofit offers three unique programs: The MASH Drop Inn emergency shelter, with a family-like setting for kids up to age 17; Project Safe Place, a collaboration with community businesses to provide safe spaces for youth in crisis across Fayette County; and Supportive Housing and Outreach, which serves individuals up to age 24.
"A tour of the AYS shelters was all it took for Al Torstrick Insurance employees to go all-in," Johnson said. "From that moment on, our hearts were committed."
That commitment means more than writing a check, too. It means spending time with these kids, as employees did during a Memorial Day cookout at the emergency shelter, which typically serves those who have aged out of foster care, or are homeless for other reasons.
Kids at Arbor Youth Services show off their care packs.
"Most times, volunteers just drop the food off," Johnson said. "But we stayed and hung out with the kids for several hours, getting to know them." The successful event spurred employees to continue with a barbecue, taco night, and more; in addition to the other support they provide, such as collecting items needed for the shelters, and putting together "survival bags" full of food to help kids get through the weekends.
"We don't always have the funds to make huge donations," Johnson said, "but we want to spend actual time with the kids and help with kid-specific needs."
Thanks to a Safeco Insurance Make More Happen Award, now they can do both. The honor comes with up to a $10,000 donation from Safeco to Arbor Youth Services on behalf of Al Torstrick Insurance.
The agents give more than money to the nonprofit. Here they hosted a taco night for the kids, spending time to get to know them.
While the money is important, the human connection is just as vital, according to Falon Curtis, associate director for AYS.
"The Al Torstrick team was spending time here because they wanted to. They met everyone right where they were, without judgment," Curtis said. "They have given these young people something they don't often receive: compassion, empathy and, engagement with dignity."
Learn more about our winners:
Helping vulnerable youth in the community has long been a priority for Al Torstrick Insurance Agency in Lexington, Kentucky, but they found themselves searching for a new nonprofit to work with when the Florence Crittenton Home closed its doors after 119 years.
"We were devastated," said Ali Torstrick Johnson, the company's operations manager. "We wanted to find another youth-oriented organization to support."
Arbor Youth Services, which assists children and young adults in central Kentucky who have nowhere to go, was a perfect fit.
Agents from Al Torstrick Insurance Agency create weekend packs of food for kids who would go hungry if it weren't for this service from AYS.
The nonprofit offers three unique programs: The MASH Drop Inn emergency shelter, with a family-like setting for kids up to age 17; Project Safe Place, a collaboration with community businesses to provide safe spaces for youth in crisis across Fayette County; and Supportive Housing and Outreach, which serves individuals up to age 24.
"A tour of the AYS shelters was all it took for Al Torstrick Insurance employees to go all-in," Johnson said. "From that moment on, our hearts were committed."
That commitment means more than writing a check, too. It means spending time with these kids, as employees did during a Memorial Day cookout at the emergency shelter, which typically serves those who have aged out of foster care, or are homeless for other reasons.
Kids at Arbor Youth Services show off their care packs.
"Most times, volunteers just drop the food off," Johnson said. "But we stayed and hung out with the kids for several hours, getting to know them." The successful event spurred employees to continue with a barbecue, taco night, and more; in addition to the other support they provide, such as collecting items needed for the shelters, and putting together "survival bags" full of food to help kids get through the weekends.
"We don't always have the funds to make huge donations," Johnson said, "but we want to spend actual time with the kids and help with kid-specific needs."
Thanks to a Safeco Insurance Make More Happen Award, now they can do both. The honor comes with up to a $10,000 donation from Safeco to Arbor Youth Services on behalf of Al Torstrick Insurance.
The agents give more than money to the nonprofit. Here they hosted a taco night for the kids, spending time to get to know them.
While the money is important, the human connection is just as vital, according to Falon Curtis, associate director for AYS.
"The Al Torstrick team was spending time here because they wanted to. They met everyone right where they were, without judgment," Curtis said. "They have given these young people something they don't often receive: compassion, empathy and, engagement with dignity."
Learn more about our winners:
- Agency: Al Torstrick Insurance Agency, https://www.altorstrick.com/, Lexington, Kentucky
- Nonprofit: Arbor Youth Services, http://arborky.org/, Lexington, Kentucky