Foundationhistory

In February of 1999, Ely Chapman Education Foundation Inc. was founded for the
purpose of providing enrichment and reinforcement activities for youth of the Mid Ohio
Valley. In June, S.U.N.S.H.I.N.E. Learning Station (SLS), an after school academic
program for students from grades 1 through 5, was adopted from St. Luke’s Lutheran
Church. ECEF purchased the Ely Chapman Education Center in July.
In June of 2000, ECEF received the OAC YouthReach Grant to create a Mural, River
Model, and Aquarium. The River Education Program began with the purchase of a
pontoon boat and in September The SUCCESS and HONOR Karate program also began
this year.
A commercial kitchen was installed, and the café was renovated in April of 2001. In
June, ECEF became Marietta’s first open site for the Summer Food Service Program
(SFSP), and the Living Rivers Café opened for catering & delivery of lunches to the
public. October brought the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which began
serving supper to the SLS and later snack for the Middle School Program, Wild World 4-H
students, and Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club.
The Performing Arts Program free children’s choir began in January of 2003. In July
Henry Burke opened his West African Museum with art and artifacts from Ghana. The
Middle School Program (MSP) began in November, thanks to a Juvenile Justice Grant.
MSP offered academic enrichment and reinforcement after school programming for
grades 6 through 8.
In April of 2004, ECEF chartered Boy Scout Troop 231, the largest in the Allohak
Council. In August, the Marietta Dance Academy (MDA) moved into the building, renting 2
rooms for all forms of dance. The Performing Arts Free Theatre program began in
September.
June of 2005 brought the National Youth Sports Program’s educational activities, a
collaboration with Marietta Family YMCA and Marietta College, in which 115
disadvantaged youth participated.
In June 2006, the Summer Adventure Camp, a 10 week, 10 hour a day camp for
approximately 159 students ages 7 – 14, was held in collaboration with the Marietta
Family YMCA.
Late in 2007 the Marietta Dance Academy had grown to be too large for our building.
They moved to a new location with a larger facility to fit their needs.