Hope and healing 

Hope and healing 

Dec 11, 2025 | General interest, Service projects | 0 comments

Kiwanis New Jersey District hosts conference on youth homelessness.

By Julie Saetre

Submitted by the Kiwanis New Jersey District 

In the 2023-24 school year, 17,315 students in the U.S. state of New Jersey were identified as experiencing homelessness. That’s why Kiwanis International’s New Jersey District created the New Jersey Kiwanis Youth Homelessness District Project, which works to create awareness of the issues faced by these students and provide support to organizations that are actively working to address them. 

As part of the project, the district held its inaugural statewide New Jersey Kiwanis Hope and Healing Conference on November 6. The conference brought together youth advocates, agency professionals and community partners from across the state for a full day of learning, empowerment and connection. 

 “Our goal has always been to elevate the voices of young people facing housing instability and bring every corner of New Jersey’s support network together,” says Michael Ellithorpe, New Jersey Kiwanis District project chair. “This conference demonstrated what is possible when service organizations, educators and advocates unite behind a shared mission.” 

Attendees participated in workshop sessions and networking opportunities designed for transitionally housed youth, youth homelessness agency staff, community partners and Kiwanis members. The event underscored New Jersey’s statewide commitment to addressing youth homelessness through shared purpose and coordinated action. 

“This conference proved exactly what Kiwanis stands for — hope, action and partnership,” says Frank Cahill, New Jersey District governor. “Seeing so many agencies, advocates and young people in one room reminded us why we remain committed to this project. Youth experiencing homelessness deserve stability, opportunity and community, and Kiwanis will continue to stand beside them every step of the way.” 

Emily Scharf, president of the New Jersey Kiwanis Foundation, also praised the shared commitment that shaped the conference. 

“The Hope and Healing Conference was the culmination of years of work, collaboration and compassion across New Jersey. Every attendee — from youth to agency leaders — played a part in creating a space of empowerment and healing. This is only the beginning of what we can accomplishtogether.” 

To date, the New Jersey Kiwanis Youth Homelessness District Project has generated nearly US$40,000 in donations and thousands of volunteer hours.  

Learn more about Kiwanis clubs addressing youth homelessness and get inspiration for your own project. 

Trainers build meaningful connections

Trainers build meaningful connections

Dec 8, 2025 | Club building, General interest, News | 0 comments

This workbook/slide deck combination transforms leadership education into an engaging, interactive experience.

By Britney Warner 

The impact of any educational presentation — from a formal training session to a brief workshop —relies on how effectively information is conveyed. The “Building Meaningful Connections” workbook, paired with its instructional slide deck, is designed to transform leadership education into an engaging, interactive experience. Created for district Leadership Development Coordinators and Certified Instructors, this resource offers practical tools and structured activities that foster collaboration, creativity and deeper learning during training sessions.  

 The workbook serves as an all-in-one guide, featuring: 

  • Icebreakers and connection activities: Kick off sessions with exercises like “Sweet Introductions” and “Anchor Your Purpose” to build rapport and set clear goals. 
  • Teamwork challenges: Activities such as “The Spaghetti Marshmallow Challenge” and “Build a Model Club” strengthen problem-solving and communication skills. 
  • Deep discussions: Guided prompts like “Wow, Now, How” and “Ripple Effect” encourage strategic thinking and reflection on leadership impact. 
  • Service projects: Hands-on activities, including “Welcome Cards for New Students” and “Trauma Dolls,” connect leadership principles to real-world service. 
  • Wrap-up tools: Reflection exercises like “Letter to Future Self” and “Leadership Commitment Wall” help participants synthesize learning and commit to action. 

The accompanying slide deck provides visual support for instructions, discussion prompts and timing tips, ensuring smooth facilitation and consistent delivery across sessions. 

Key benefits for facilitators: 

  • Promotes active learning: Interactive exercises encourage participation and real-world application. 
  • Supports instructor confidence: Clear steps, adaptable resources and visual aids make facilitation seamless. 
  • Builds leadership culture: Activities emphasize collaboration, creativity and service.

Click here to view and download the slide deck.

Kiwanis mourns 2004-05 President Case Van Kleef 

Kiwanis mourns 2004-05 President Case Van Kleef 

Dec 4, 2025 | General interest, News | 0 comments

Van Kleef remembered for being a courageous and collaborative leader and faithful member of Kiwanis.

By Julie Saetre

Case Van Kleef, the 2004-05 Kiwanis International president, passed away November 30. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Northside Naples in Florida, U.S. Past club memberships included Wheeling Township (Chicago, Illinois, U.S.); Stevens Point (Wisconsin, U.S.); Plover, a club he built (Wisconsin, U.S.); Bonita Springs (Florida, U.S.); and Rose Float of Pasadena (California, U.S.). 

Van Kleef joined Kiwanis in 1965 and held various leadership positions, including club president, lieutenant governor and international vice president/treasurer. He received many Kiwanis honors, including a George F. Hixson Fellow, Diamond-level 11; Charter Walter Zeller Fellow, Diamond-level 3; Heritage Society member; Tablet of Honor; Kiwanis Leadership Society; Carthage-Pullman Society; and G. Harold Martin Society. 

Kiwanis International 2005-06 President Steve Siemens recalled how he, Van Kleef and 2006-07 President Nelson Tucker collaborated and worked together for the betterment of Kiwanis. 

“When Case became president-elect, since I would follow him [as president], we met and created a continuous plan to have a seamless transition between the Kiwanis years we served. It was our goal to focus on the members, have the same distinguished program and work closely together. We talked weekly. We planned often. We worked together, not caring who was credited,” said Siemens. “After Nelson Tucker was successful in his election, we became three leaders with the same mind and mission. Case’s creativity, humor, caring heart and humility motivated both Nelson and me, and the members his life touched.”  

“Case Van Kleef was an example of courageous leadership,” said 2009-10 Kiwanis International President and Kiwanis Executive Director Paul Palazzolo. “He never hesitated when he needed to make difficult decisions that were necessary for the organization’s success. Most importantly, he believed in his commitment to be an active Kiwanis club member.” 

During Van Kleef’s presidency, he worked to fulfill the goals of 2004-05 IDEA: Increase Kiwanis’ commitment to young children, develop leadership throughout the Kiwanis family, expand Kiwanis service around the world, and access Kiwanis service and growth. 

Under these goals, Kiwanians focused on initiatives such as fulfilling involvement in Young Children: Priority One, continuing the promise to UNICEF to eliminate iodine deficiency around the world, enhancing adult and youth leadership, and growing and building Kiwanis and Service Leadership Programs clubs. 

Van Kleef was a two-term president of the Wisconsin-Upper Michigan Kiwanis District Foundation, which created the Case Van Kleef Fellowship in his honor. A Van Kleef Fellowship permanently honors an individual who has dedicated outstanding time or service to Kiwanis. 

“He never stopped looking for a better, more creative way to strengthen his local club,” said Siemens. “He made things fun and he never lost who he really was — a servant of the member and a cheerleader for the organization.      

“Case became a very close friend, and his legacy will live for a long time. He blessed my life and so many more.” 

Born in the village of Poeldijk, the Netherlands, Van Kleef graduated from the Higher Hotel and Restaurant Management School in The Hague. He worked at hotels in Europe and for the Holland America Line. His U.S. career included the role of vice president of the Aristocrat Inns of America, during which he was approached by Sentry Insurance Company to open a five-star restaurant at company headquarters in Wisconsin. Later, he and his wife, Susan, opened and ran their own restaurant, The Cottage, in Plover, until they retired in 2001.  

Kiwanis was a family experience for the Van Kleefs. Susan has been a member of the Northside Naples Club (Florida, U.S.) since 2016. Their daughters, Stacy and Stefani, were involved at a young age. Both were members of Builders Club and Key Club, and Stacy was also a member of CKI.  

Throughout his life, Van Kleef’s commitment to servant leadership never wavered. Just one week before his death, he was delivering Thanksgiving meals to families in need.