What A Difference A Year Makes: SJS Puppy
SJS began sponsoring an Assistance Dog at The Ability Center in Sylvania, Ohio. Assistance Dogs help individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence.
In 2024, SJS began sponsoring an Assistance Dog at The Ability Center in Sylvania, Ohio. Assistance Dogs help individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence by aiding with the individual's daily needs.
SJS was tasked with naming a puppy born to a litter at The Ability Center. We recently visited Lira, who has grown by leaps and bounds. While still early in her training, we are hopeful that she will remain on track to become a service dog, skilled companion dog, or school facility dog. Training and placement is usually completed by age 2.
The trainers are gifted specialists and do a phenomenal job. The Ability Center is always grateful for the volunteers who step up to foster the dogs. Their need for volunteers never ends.
We are lucky to have such a great organization in our area. To find out more about The Ability Center, you can visit abilitycenter.org.
Suggested Reading
Five Graduating High School Students Shadow SJS Investment Services
For five graduating high school Seniors who shadowed us recently, we asked each student to write a summary of what they learned during the week.
One of our favorite traditions is when students intern with us. It is an opportunity for us to teach the next generation of investors some of what we have learned, as well as learn from them.
From April 29th through May 3rd, five Seniors from St. John’s Jesuit High School - Andrew Balcerzak, Declan Loisel, Evan Skolmowski, Jude Dzierwa, and Travis Friddell - interned with the SJS Team in Sylvania, Ohio. Throughout their internship, they did activities including:
Learn about a wide variety of topics on personal finance
Study the importance of investing, as well as different ways of investing
Introduction to retirement and other investment accounts (ex. IRA, 401(k), 529, HSA, etc.)
Started reading The Investment Answer by Daniel C. Goldie and Gordon S. Murray as well as The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Meet with most members of the SJS Team
Create LinkedIn profiles
Present an investment-related idea for the SJS Team to consider
We asked each student to write a summary of what they learned during the week. We thank Andrew, Declan, Evan, Jude, and Travis for spending their senior project week with us, and we wish them well going forward!
Andrew Balcerzak
My week at SJS for my senior project was great. I came into this experience wanting to gain a better understanding of the basics of finance and what exactly goes on in a financial firm. I got a well-rounded view of the company and what everyone does in it. Whether it was making trades, analyzing certain stocks, learning what the advisors do, or even life advice, I felt that I gained knowledge from the time spent at SJS.
It was an eye-opening experience to see how much goes into the planning of people's futures. I found out the importance of reading and being a lifelong learner as everyone at SJS is reading some sort of financial book to evolve their ideas and approaches to finance. We had the opportunity to sit in an investment committee meeting - to see the amount of research that goes into picking certain investments was kind of surprising to me. I enjoy analyzing graphs and learning about compound interest, so when we sat down and got to look at some of the projections, I was fascinated by it. With that being said, the best piece of advice I learned is to invest early because it’s difficult to catch up with people who have been investing and spending wisely. The basics of investing don’t have to be hard - when you begin to dive in is when you find certain intricacies.
Another great part of my experience was learning about the social aspects of business. We sat down with multiple advisors, and learned that some of their social skills are natural and some have been learned over time. We sat down with Mr. Savage for lunch and he explained some of the aspects of advisor and client meetings. My takeaway from lunch is to be a genuine person and learn about people on a personal level - it makes conversations very easy and builds connections that aren’t fake.
Lastly, we dedicated a few hours to talking about taxes and certain types of accounts that people use. Taxes are very complicated once you get into the weeds, but on the surface, a chunk of taxes is you paying into things like Social Security that you’ll later benefit from. Certain accounts - such as a Roth IRA or a 401(k) - offer certain advantages that taxable accounts fail to offer, but come with some restrictions on when you can use the money. One of the things on my to-do list is to open a Roth IRA as soon as I get a job because it seems like a no-brainer to start my life of investing at a young age.
Declan Loisel
At SJS, what I learned goes beyond simple financial ideas - it was a comprehensive immersion into the dynamics of wealth creation and management. From understanding the fundamentals of stocks, bonds, and alternatives to diving into the depths of retirement accounts, we gained a holistic perspective on the power of investing. The firm's emphasis on building a diversified portfolio emphasizes the principle that strategic allocation across different asset classes is key to long-term growth and risk mitigation. With insights into the historical performance of the stock market, we were able to grasp the significance of compound interest, seeing the exponential potential of sound investment strategies.
Navigating through the maze of tax implications and regional disparities, we uncovered insights into optimizing financial decisions. Learning how varying tax brackets and state-specific regulations impact investment outcomes highlights the importance of holistic financial planning. By striving to maintain specific percentages of different investments, SJS balances returns and volatility. Beyond the numbers, the internship experience at SJS filled me with a sense of fulfillment and excitement as we discovered our passion for the field. Aspiring to embark on careers in finance, we gained some technical understanding as well as a deep appreciation for the multi-faceted nature of the industry.
Evan Skolmowski
Firstly, I want to express my gratitude to SJS for allowing me to come shadow. During this week, I have gotten to speak with and observe a dozen different people and learn unique pieces of information from each of them. Coming into the office on Monday, all I thought I knew about a bond was that it was some form of government currency. I now know investing in bonds is generally a form of fixed income, with a typically lower but more consistent rate of growth compared to domestic or international stocks. Some of the most useful pieces of information I’ll take away is the importance of diversification and staying true to the investment process over time, meaning I must discipline myself to always put away a fraction of a paycheck, and not pull it all out when there’s a dip in the market and things get scary.
I plan to begin investing as well as pour over books and articles deciding where I’ll begin my long-term investments, rather than have all of my money in faster individual stocks. At this point in time, I’ve thought about fifty different careers I could have in the future from astronaut to being the president, but I’ve always known I wanted to make enough money to live comfortably. My dad got me interested in the world of finance, but it’s always been slightly difficult to understand some of what he’s talking about on a larger scale. I’m extremely thankful that SJS has helped me to understand and get a better grasp on more of these ideas and terminologies.
Jude Dzierwa
During my one-week internship at SJS, I got to learn a ton about how finance works. Right from the start, I picked up basic stuff like what stocks, bonds, and derivatives are about. I saw how professionals manage portfolios and why it's so important to spread out risks by diversifying.
I also learned about taxes and how they affect the world. I saw how different states get taxed on different things. More populated states like California and New York have a higher income tax than states like Arkansas and Ohio. There are also taxes when you invest in the market such as capital gains taxes (particularly when an investment is sold within a year), unless the investment is in a retirement account like a Roth IRA.
As the week went on, I dug into financial analysis, trying to figure out how to judge how well companies are doing and how to read their financial reports. Doing mock trades helped me see how things play out in real time, and watching how the team deals with clients showed me the importance of personal connections in finance. Overall, it was a crash course in investments that gave me some solid skills to take forward.
Travis Friddell
This week shadowing SJS has been an amazing experience that I am extremely grateful for. I have witnessed day-to-day operations, meetings, and have observed what financial advisors and managers need to do to manage someone’s portfolio.
Learning how to manage someone’s portfolio was a very interesting experience. I have learned what it means to balance the risks of a portfolio. Many people depend on their financial advisor to help them make the right decisions with their money. There are many unfamiliar terms I have learned this week that I need to understand in the future, but that hasn’t stopped me from understanding what happens here at SJS.
Something I learned about as well this past week was types of jobs and positions in the financial world. One of the things I wanted to leave SJS with was a better idea of what type of career I truly want to pursue after college. I have learned about careers like a financial planner, portfolio manager, financial analyst. I am so grateful for this opportunity and everything I have learned. Thank you SJS for this experience that I will never forget!
Important Disclosure Information:
There is no guarantee investment strategies will be successful. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Diversification neither assures a profit nor guarantees against a loss in a declining market.
Advisory services are provided by SJS Investment Services, a registered investment advisor (RIA) with the SEC. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. SJS Investment Services does not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your legal or tax professionals for specific advice.
Statements contained in this article that are not statements of historical fact are intended to be and are forward looking statements. All forward looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on various expectations and assumptions concerning future events and they are subject to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected.
Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience.
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Our Family Has Grown By Four Feet!
One of The Ability Center’s services is the Assistance Dog training program, which helps individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence.
Community is one of our Words of the Year at SJS. Our team members, individually and collectively, strive to put our communities first.
In this spirit, we recently donated to The Ability Center to support their Assistance Dog program. As detailed on their website, The Ability Center works to make our community the most disability friendly in the nation by increasing independence for people with disabilities, discovering true passions, and changing the community’s perception of disability.
One of their services is the Assistance Dog training program, which helps individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence by training and placing service and skilled companion dogs to aid with the individual’s daily needs. The Ability Center has also placed over 30 school facility dogs as well.
The SJS Team took on the task of naming one of the puppies. Jennifer Smiljanich, Managing Director in our Scottsdale office, submitted the winning name, Lira. Our Team also had the fun opportunity to meet Lira and her siblings.
The Ability Center is doing fantastic work serving our community. If you would like to learn more about The Ability Center, you can visit abilitycenter.org.
Katie Floyd and Katie Cristofoli overrun by active pups.
Ryan Walter taking one for the team.
Lira playing with her toy.
Important Disclosure Information:
Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience.
Suggested Reading
Small Town Values
Isn’t this picture magical? It's Main Street in Sylvania, Ohio, the small town where I founded SJS over 28 years ago!
By Founder & CEO Scott J. Savage.
Isn’t this picture magical? It's Main Street in Sylvania, Ohio, the small town where I founded SJS over 28 years ago!
The image is a true example of a community serving its citizens and business owners to make the holiday season festive. Nothing about this light display was easy. In fact, it was the opposite. Difficult and time intensive. But clearly the Sylvania workforce took pride in their craft.
What drove that? Perhaps knowing their effort and skill would make a difference for people of all ages. A difference in the form of much needed lifting of spirits, bringing smiles and gratitude for living in this wonderful place. And probably a lot of pride to show their own children, grandchildren, their mom and dad that they had a hand in making life a little better for all of us!
Here’s to the communities in this great country where SJS has the privilege to live and to help prosper - in 2024 and beyond!
Important Disclosure Information:
Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience.
Suggested Reading
You Can't Take It With You
In addition to family gifting, many individuals support giving to organizations that aim to help their communities. We highlight some strategies to make the most of your giving dollars.
By Managing Director & Senior Advisor Jennifer Smiljanich, CFP®.
Giving to family members or charitable organizations is a highly personal decision, often tied with emotional strings. We make gifts aligned with our values, and our choice to give, or not to give, tells other people something about us. I have always felt a strong connection to Catholic Charities. In 1951, my father’s family emigrated to the United States from Germany with a few suitcases and a dream of a better life. His family received clothing from Catholic Charities to make their transition to America easier. Now I want to give that opportunity to someone else!
For some, gifting to family takes precedence over making donations to charity. Keep in mind that you may gift up to $17,000 per individual in 2023, without generating gift tax. Gifts can be made to individuals using cash or securities.[1] Various types of account structures, including 529 Plans, trusts, and Roth IRAs, may be used to help your loved ones accomplish their future goals, and your own.
In addition to family gifting, many individuals support giving to organizations that aim to help their communities. Below, we’ve highlighted some strategies to make the most of your giving dollars:
1. Consider making gifts using IRA dollars: for those age 70 ½ or older in 2023, you may request that your IRA custodian cut a check directly to a charity (called a qualified charitable distribution (QCD)). This strategy works well for individuals who cannot itemize deductions on their tax return. Each IRA dollar given to a qualified non-profit organization does not count as taxable income to the IRA owner. Additionally, for those taking required minimum distributions (RMDs), these donations can be used to satisfy your RMDs.[2]
2. Donate highly appreciated securities: if you are making a meaningful gift to a qualified charity, you may be able to donate a stock, mutual fund, or exchange traded fund (ETF) in kind. By doing so, you can avoid realizing the gain on the security at sale (and the resulting tax). The charity can sell the security and does not realize the gain if they are a qualified organization.[3] A win for both the giver and receiver! Consider this example of donating $50,000 of securities directly to charity:
3. Donor advised funds: these types of accounts can be held through a community foundation or custodian, including Schwab, Fidelity, and Vanguard. An individual can donate cash or securities to fund an account; using highly appreciated securities is most advantageous. At the time of funding, the donor receives a tax deduction up to the value of the securities / cash donated. The original securities are then sold and may be invested in other securities. Then, the donor may use the account to make donations all at once, or over time, to charitable organizations. There are some caveats - the receiving charity must be a legitimate qualified charity and the donor cannot use donor advised funds in a way that the donor receives some benefit (i.e. to pay for a gala dinner).[4] Unfortunately, a QCD from an IRA may not be directed to a donor advised fund.
4. Cash is always an option: for smaller gifts, one-time gifts, and gifts to smaller organizations that might not have a brokerage account to receive securities, cash might be the simplest and most effective option.
Finally, some states offer tax credits for charitable donations that might be used to help families paying private school tuition or to aid other charitable organizations. Tax credits reduce taxes due dollar-for-dollar. Ohio recently began a tax credit program to support scholarship granting organizations (such as some private schools), up to $750 per individual or $1,500 per married couple.[5] Arizona also offers tax credits for donations to selected charitable organizations and foster care organizations.[6]
We are available to help you, in coordination with your tax or estate professional, consider how to best accomplish your giving goals to family or to organizations aligned with your values. While gifts must be completed before December 31st to count for the current tax year, giving can be done throughout the year to support the people and causes that are near and dear to you.
Important Disclosure Information & Sources:
[1] “Frequently Asked Questions on Gift Taxes”. Internal Revenue Service, 2023, irs.gov.
[2] “IRA FAQs - Distributions (Withdrawals)”. Internal Revenue Service, 2023, irs.gov.
[3] “About Publication 526, Charitable Contributions”. Internal Revenue Service, 2023, irs.gov.
[4] “Donor-advised Funds”. Internal Revenue Service, 2023, irs.gov.
[5] “Scholarship Donation Credit”. Ohio Department of Taxation, 2023, tax.ohio.gov.
[6] “Credits for Contributions to QCOs and QFCOs”. Arizona Department of Revenue, 2023, azdor.gov.
There is no guarantee investment strategies will be successful. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Diversification neither assures a profit nor guarantees against a loss in a declining market.
Advisory services are provided by SJS Investment Services, a registered investment advisor (RIA) with the SEC. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. SJS Investment Services does not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your legal or tax professionals for specific advice.
Statements contained in this article that are not statements of historical fact are intended to be and are forward looking statements. Forward looking statements include expressed expectations of future events and the assumptions on which the expressed expectations are based. All forward looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on various expectations and assumptions concerning future events and they are subject to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected.
Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience.
International Samaritan: Walking Hand-In-Hand With Families In Garbage Dump Communities
International Samaritan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is working to break the chains of poverty and improving lives, particularly within garbage dump communities worldwide.
An interview with Investment / Compliance Associate Bobby Adusumilli. This interview is part of our Stories of Giving & Achievement Series, highlighting community involvement efforts. If you are interested in learning more about International Samaritan, please visit their website.
Bobby, can you tell us about International Samaritan and their mission?
International Samaritan was started by a group of students and faculty from St. John’s Jesuit High School, which is where I went to high school. In the early 1990s, Father Don Vettese, S.J., helped to lead St. John’s students on annual service trips to Guatemala. These students saw the conditions of how people were living near the garbage dump in Guatemala, which was and still is where a lot of people live.
In contrast to landfills, garbage dumps are dangerous, poorly regulated areas, with trash spilling into the surrounding communities. These garbage dump communities are home to refugees, lepers, abuse victims, orphans, and other extraordinarily vulnerable groups. As a result, the average life expectancy in garbage dump communities is around 35 years old, and the majority of children drop out of school by seventh grade, often in order to work in the garbage dumps to provide for their families.[1]
The St. John’s students wanted to do something to help the people in these communities break the cycle of generational poverty, and Father Vettese challenged them to create a plan. Together in 1994, they created International Samaritan, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is working to break the chains of poverty and improving lives, particularly within garbage dump communities, where an estimated (probably significantly underestimated) 15 million people are confirmed to live worldwide. International Samaritan does this in a few primary ways, tailoring services to each community:
Holistic scholarships for students from preschool through college, helping to cover school fees, medical expenses, and other living expenses so that students don’t have to drop out of school.
Support schools so that they can operate efficiently and hire excellent staff.
Safe water and safe spaces for students, their families, and community members.
Build homes for families that don’t have them through volunteer work and contracting local businesses.
Strategic partnerships with local leaders to identify and serve community needs.
Originally focusing on Guatemala, International Samaritan now works within 7 communities / countries: Ethiopia, Guatemala, San Pedro Sula in Honduras, Tegucigalpa in Honduras, Jamaica, Kenya, and Uganda. Today, International Samaritan supports nearly 900 students through its scholarships and partnerships with schools.
2022 - Francisco Coll School in Guatemala
How did you get involved with International Samaritan?
International Samaritan hosts service immersion trips for high schools, universities, organizations, and other interested groups of people to experience the communities and volunteer while there.
In 2011, entering my senior year of high school, St. John’s organized a weeklong service immersion trip to Guatemala with International Samaritan. Along with over a dozen classmates, we spent a few days seeing the garbage dump community in Guatemala and volunteering at the Francisco Coll School, such as doing maintenance work and spending time with the students.
While the trip did have a service element, its biggest goal was educating us about the conditions and difficulties that people living in garbage dump communities face and demonstrating ways we could help. Particularly for us high school students growing up in the United States, it was shocking to see the conditions that these students - similar to us - had to grow up in, and how they continued to come to school every day with joy and ready to study. While seeing the conditions saddened us, it also made us want to help as well as have more gratitude for what we had back home.
2011 - A classmate and I with two young students from the Francisco Coll School
In 2022, I had the opportunity to travel back to Guatemala for a five-day trip with a group of people interested in becoming more involved with International Samaritan. We saw a lot of the same places that I had seen over a decade prior. Compared to what I remembered from 2011, International Samaritan had really improved their schools and expanded to serve ages from toddlers through high school students, with college age students receiving scholarships to attend local universities. For example, International Samaritan bought a building near the garbage dump which they converted to a Family Life Center to provide a safe space with good resources for students to come to before and after school to complete their schoolwork as well as relax. Additionally, I could tell the garbage dump community in Guatemala had improved, though there is still a lot more work to be done.
What probably most impressed me during this trip was seeing the care and enthusiasm of the program leaders, teachers, and other staff members. A lot of these caretakers live in the community, and they seem to really want to help these children succeed. We arrived at the end of the school year, and some of the teachers told us that they are sad for the upcoming break because they enjoy being with the students each day. To me, having educators who really care about the students gives the children a better chance of breaking the cycle of poverty.
2022 - Teachers, staff members, and group members at the Francisco Coll School
How can people get involved with and support International Samaritan?
Financial limitation is the number one reason why International Samaritan is not able to support more students. Unfortunately, International Samaritan has to turn away students each year. Since 2019, 100% of donations to International Samaritan go towards services in the developing nations, as all other overhead costs are covered by their endowment fund. If you are interested in financially supporting International Samaritan, you can visit intsam.org/donation-redirect.
If you are interested in attending a service immersion trip or participating in their Learn, Serve, Grow program, book clubs, or other projects, you can visit intsam.org/lsg-program. While I have learned a lot about International Samaritan through conversations with their team members as well as via their written materials and videos, actually seeing the Guatemala community and their work has made me feel strongly about how important their services are.
Finally, every October, International Samaritan organizes a global 5K, which you can participate in by visiting intsamglobal5k.com. You can run with your own small team wherever you are, or you can join a larger team. Additionally, some cities are organizing events for people to meet up and run together - for example, I am helping to organize a 5K run in the Toledo, Ohio area in early November, with more details to follow. This year, International Samaritan’s goal is to raise $150,000 in order to provide 50 students with scholarships.
I am grateful to know the International Samaritan team, and hope more people are able to learn about the amazing services that they are providing around the world!
2022 - International Samaritan 5K run with students in Guatemala
2011 - My classmates and I at the Francisco Coll School in Guatemala with Juan Carlos, who drove us around during the trip
2011 - Painting at the Francisco Coll School
2022 - Students at the Family Life Center in Guatemala
2022 - Watching a grade school graduation ceremony practice in Guatemala
Important Disclosure Information & Sources:
[1] “International Samaritan“. International Samaritan, intsam.org.
[2] “IntSam Global 5K”. International Samaritan, runsignup.com.
Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience.
Suggested Reading
Empowering Our Team To Build Up Our Community
The SJS Mission is to empower you to build a better life. That extends to our teammates, clients, and community members.
By Founder & CEO Scott J. Savage.
At SJS, one of our treasured values is Giving Back. When you have a great team (and we do!), it means you have the privilege of not only taking care of your clients, but also the communities where we all live, work, and play.
Time, talent, and treasure are the three ingredients, along with desire, that can drive tremendous change. Many companies choose one cause to support, and that’s great! At SJS, we have chosen one cause too: our local communities. That allows us to focus on a variety of organizations and projects that are near and dear to our team, our families, and our clients.
One such organization is Metroparks Toledo. Just last month on the east side of downtown Toledo along the shoreline of the Maumee River, we dedicated the 19th park in our diverse and award-winning park system, the Glass City Metropark. This dedication was the first major step in building the Glass City Riverwalk, a brand new 300-acre contiguous park that will connect five miles of trails and one-of-a-kind amenities on both sides of the Maumee River, connecting the east and west sides of the central city like never before and turning it into the best riverfront park in the country!
With the help of my fellow commissioners and neighborhood kids, I had the great privilege of "throwing the switch" on the transformational park in east Toledo (pictured below). In my 20 years of involvement as a volunteer for Metroparks Toledo, I can’t recall a more rewarding feeling! We are looking forward to the positive impact from this project on our local community for years to come.
Glass City Metropark Phase 2 Grand Opening. Photo: Metroparks Toledo.
SJS also has dozens of clients that are nonprofit organizations whose assets we manage. We advise them on topics of good governance and planning, guided by their clear Mission and inspired by their Vision that is grounded in their institutional Value system. In turn, these organizations can thrive and grow and be more effective and deliver bigger impact. We are proud and grateful for the relationships we’ve formed with these organizations over the years.
The SJS Mission is to empower you to build a better life. That extends to our teammates, clients, and community members. I have deep gratitude for my teammates at SJS who created the supportive culture that allows me and my fellow colleagues the opportunity to be part of improving our respective communities.
Important Disclosure Information:
There is no guarantee investment strategies will be successful. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Diversification neither assures a profit nor guarantees against a loss in a declining market.
Advisory services are provided by SJS Investment Services, a registered investment advisor (RIA) with the SEC. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. SJS Investment Services does not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your legal or tax professionals for specific advice.
Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience.
Suggested Reading
Leadership Toledo: Inspiring Community Involvement
Leadership Toledo is an organization that connects individuals with the community, engaging and involving them with initiatives that make the Toledo region a great place to live, work, and enjoy.
An interview with Investment / Compliance Associate Bobby Adusumilli, who recently completed the 2022-2023 Signature Program with Leadership Toledo. This interview is part of our Stories of Giving & Achievement Series, highlighting community involvement efforts. If you are interested in learning more about Leadership Toledo, please visit their website.
Bobby, can you tell us about Leadership Toledo and their mission?
Leadership Toledo is an organization that connects individuals with the community, engaging and involving them with initiatives that make the Toledo region a great place to live, work, and enjoy. Their mission is driven by four goals:[1]
Lead - Become a more confident leader
Connect - Become more connected to your community
Grow - Grow stronger in self-awareness
Serve - Identify service that is meaningful to you
Leadership Toledo offers various programs for both students and adults focused on getting more involved in the community. Their Youth Leadership Toledo for high school sophomores as well as their Signature Program for adults involve day-long sessions throughout the year focusing on different community involvement and leadership topics around the Toledo-area. The Youth in Philanthropy Encouraging Excellence (YIPEE) for high school Juniors and Seniors as well as the Spark program for adults aim to inspire philanthropic action. Leadership Toledo also hosts a Youth Conference and a Community Leadership Series.[1]
How did you get involved with the Signature Program? What did you do throughout the year?
A lot of people in the Toledo-area have been involved with Leadership Toledo in some way. My sister as well as a couple of my friends were in Youth Leadership Toledo when they were in high school. Additionally, my colleagues Andrew Schaetzke and Rachel Keesey were part of the Signature Program in the past. Because they enjoyed the program so much and met many people through the program, they encouraged me to apply for the 2022-2023 class.
With nearly 50 people in the program, we met as a large group once a month from August to June, with each day focusing on a particular topic:
August: Meet & greet
September: Opening retreat
October: Project selection
November: SIMSOC - Simulated society
December: Servant leadership
January: Health & human services
February: Criminal justice
March: Education
April: History & regional development
May: Cultural arts
June: Closing retreat
Additionally, each person was part of a small group (4-6 people) that worked on a project with a local non-profit organization. In my case, five of us worked with the Cherry Street Mission Ministries to develop employment training and work opportunities for guests of the organization.
2022-2023 Leadership Toledo Signature Program Cohort at the Opening Retreat at Oak Openings Preserve Metropark. Source: Leadership Toledo.
Did you have a favorite program day?
One of the great things about the Signature Program is that each month has a different focus, so I learned about a wide variety of topics. Even though I grew up in the Toledo-area, I was surprised at how little I knew about the city’s history and all the interesting things going on today.
While there were a lot of great days, I probably most enjoyed the Education Day. That morning, eight of us toured the Toledo Pre-Medical and Health Science Academy, which is a Toledo Public Schools (TPS) high school designed in partnership with ProMedica to help prepare students for careers in a medical profession while still fulfilling their general education requirements. The school is new, but it was very evident that the students have already learned a lot about medical-related topics. Two underclassmen led us through the tour, and we were very impressed by their communication skills and knowledge. This school seems like a good education path to keep students engaged, learning, and moving along to careers that they are looking forward to.
We spent that afternoon at Rogers High School, where we heard a panel of superintendents speak about their daily lives, successes, and challenges of their jobs. Each superintendent serves a different community, so hearing the variety of challenges and the solutions was fascinating to me. We also learned more about Connecting Kids to Meals, which offers after school and summer programs to provide hot, nutritious meals at no cost to kids in low-income and underserved areas throughout the entire year. This day further confirmed to me that there are really great organizations in Toledo serving children and education.
2022-2023 Leadership Toledo Signature Program Cohort at the Criminal Justice Day. Source: Leadership Toledo.
What was your project? How did it go, and what was the outcome?
Cherry Street Mission Ministries (CSMM) is a downtown Toledo-based organization committed to delivering solutions that will reverse the cycle of poverty for people in our communities through providing meals, temporary housing, working development training, and employment opportunities.[2] In order to further enhance their workforce development training and employment opportunities, CSMM is looking to create social enterprise intervention (SEI) businesses for their guests. Their first SEI business - a food truck - is expected to go live this year. Cherry Street Mission Ministries asked our five-person Leadership Toledo team to help come up with the idea and business plan for their second SEI business.
Our team met every few weeks to work on this project. We first discussed potential ideas for the specific business. Once we decided on the business idea, we put together a 14-page business plan covering the products, services, training curriculum, equipment, target market, marketing, organizational structure, potential revenue, expenses, key metrics, and milestones. We presented our business plan to the CSMM team, which they seem very enthusiastic about and feel that this is an SEI business that they could sustain. I don’t want to spoil their plans, but stay tuned to Cherry Street Mission Ministries for their next SEI business within the next year or so!
Team for the Cherry Street Mission project. Source: Cherry Street Mission Ministries.
How can the community get involved with Leadership Toledo?
Leadership Toledo has a variety of events for people around Toledo to attend. Their Community Leadership Series spotlights exceptional leaders and organizations within the greater Toledo region. Additionally, each Fall, Leadership Toledo has an Annual Breakfast where you can meet the team, students, adults, and alumni of the programs to learn more about the organization. I think the team at Leadership Toledo - Anna, Arika, Danielle, Elizabeth, and Nicole - is really spectacular, and it’s amazing to me how well they run the Signature Program; you can reach out to them via the website if you would like to learn more about Leadership Toledo.
I am really grateful to have been part of the 2022-2023 Signature Program. My hope is that one person from the SJS Team is able to participate in the Signature Program each year as a way to further connect us with and support the Toledo community.
2022-2023 Leadership Toledo Signature Program Cohort at the Closing Retreat. Source: Leadership Toledo.
Important Disclosure Information & Sources:
[1] “Leadership Toledo“. Leadership Toledo, leadershiptoledo.org.
[2] “Our Mission“. Cherry Street Mission Ministries, cherrystreetmission.org.
Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience.
Suggested Reading
Courageous Community Services: Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
The mission of Courageous Community Services is to provide meaningful, inclusive opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families through advocacy, education, and engaging recreational experiences.
An interview with Kirk Ludwig, who is a Senior Advisor at SJS Investment Services as well as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors of Courageous Community Services (CCS). This interview is part of our Stories of Giving & Achievement Series, highlighting community involvement efforts. If you are interested in learning more about Courageous Community Services, please visit the CCS website or contact Kirk Ludwig.
Kirk, can you tell us about Courageous Community Services (CCS) and their mission?
Most people might know CCS by the former names of Camp Courageous or The Arc of Northwest Ohio. Through a merger between agencies, today the agency is known as Courageous Community Services (CCS). The mission of CCS is to promote healthy lifestyles and better quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities and their families by providing support, education, advocacy, socialization, and outdoor recreational experiences which foster inclusiveness and independence. Our campers have limited social and outdoor recreational activities as part of their normal routines. Camp is designed to deliver these experiences while providing life skills, advocacy, and respite for family members and caretakers!
Source: “A Day in the Life of a Camper“. Courageous Community Services, ccsohio.org.
What is your involvement with Courageous Community Services? How did you originally get involved / what do you do within the organization?
Currently, I serve on the Executive Board as Treasurer as well as chair of the Finance Committee. Additionally, I’m on the Strategic Planning and Facilities Committees. 2023 is my 12th consecutive year participating on the board and second round as an active board member.
Many years ago, I coached Special Olympics, through which I met several families who were members of the Arc of Northwest Ohio Board. At the time, I couldn’t fully comprehend the challenges that the athletes and their families dealt with on a daily basis. It didn’t take long to understand the struggles and needs that these families faced. It was very easy for me to want to get involved in a way that advocated for a better way of life. One that provided respite for the caregivers as well as fun social interactions and outdoor activities for our campers.
When the Arc and Camp Courageous merged, I was very excited about the opportunities that the camp experience would have for the community that we serve. Camp delivers experiences that so many people take for granted. Spending time outside in a wooded park-like setting, playing games and laughing with other campers and counselors, swimming or wading in the zero-depth entry pool, participating in arts and crafts, gardening, and so many other camp activities.
Source: “Peer Buddies“. Courageous Community Services, ccsohio.org.
What is your proudest moment or biggest accomplishment since you’ve been involved?
One of the major challenges for CCS is consistent annual funding. For many years, the agency received funding support from the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, but the funding ended several years ago. Approximately 95% of the campers use Medicaid waivers to pay for camp, which only covers a fraction of the total cost that it takes to operate the agency and maintain the pool and campus. The shortfall is typically covered by grant writing, fundraisers, and private donations.
Recognizing the challenging budget and the desperate need to repair and upgrade the 50-year-old camp facilities, the agency was in need of raising capital. CCS owned about 84 acres of wooded property adjacent to the Oak Openings Preserve Metropark, which is well known in the park district community because of the diverse number of species that occupy the land.[1] With this in mind, we received the assistance of Metroparks Toledo to explore the unused property of CCS. They discovered populations of at least 15 plant species listed as endangered, threatened, or potentially threatened in Ohio.[2] This qualified the property for conservation purposes, and allowed Metroparks Toledo to be eligible for a grant to purchase about 64 acres of the CCS property.[2]
The timing was (accidentally) perfect! The property sale closed near the beginning of the pandemic. Camp was closed for 2020, a limited hybrid version occurred in 2021, and there was a slower “back-to-normal” opening for 2022. During the down time, CCS was able to use some of the proceeds from the sale to do the necessary upgrades to the dining hall as well as the boys and girls cabins. Additionally, we were able to build a new administration building, add a new walk-out viewing terrace, repair major cracks in the pool, and add a sensory-friendly walkway.
More importantly, the proceeds provided the necessary support to keep camp operating with all the new and improved grounds. My involvement in assisting with the transaction has been my biggest accomplishment to this point, but I hope my proudest moment is yet to come. There are endless joyful stories from our campers and their wonderful experiences, which makes all the time and energy worthwhile!
Source: “Agreement Will Preserve Natural Area While Enhancing Services for People With Disabilities“. Metroparks Toledo, 18-Aug-2020, metroparkstoledo.com.
How can the community get involved with CCS?
According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 6 individuals between the ages of 3 and 17 lives with one or more developmental disabilities.[3] Though this is a staggering percentage of the population, it doesn’t include the family members and caregivers also impacted by the individual with the disability. There is a tremendous need in our area for respite services as well as opportunities for socialization and outdoor activities for many of the members of our community.
People can help CCS by volunteering their time by participating in social walks, joining in camp clean-up days, or sharing their knowledge and skills serving in a board position. Making introductions to other agencies with similar missions is also helpful. And of course, all financial support is greatly needed and appreciated.
CCS is providing so many exciting opportunities for hundreds of campers and their families, but there is so much more to do. We’ve been very fortunate and grateful to maintain and improve camp during these extremely difficult times, but now it’s time to thrive and take camp to the next level!
Source: “Advocacy“. Courageous Community Services, ccsohio.org.
Important Disclosure Information & Sources:
[1] “Oak Openings“. Metroparks Toledo, metroparkstoledo.com.
[2] “Agreement Will Preserve Natural Area While Enhancing Services for People With Disabilities“. Metroparks Toledo, 18-Aug-2020, metroparkstoledo.com.
[3] “Health Needs and Use of Services Among Children with Developmental Disabilities“. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cdc.gov.
Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience.
Suggested Reading
Four High School Seniors Intern With SJS Investment Services
We asked each student to write a summary of what they learned during the internship, which we share here. We thank Kleiston, CJ, Beckham, and Zach for spending their internship with us, and we wish them well going forward!
One of our favorite traditions at SJS Investment Services is when students intern with us. It is an opportunity for us to teach the next generation of investors some of what we have learned, as well as learn from them.
From August to December 2022, four Seniors from St. John’s Jesuit High School - Kleiston Bonnell, CJ Hornbeak, Beckham Schmitz, and Zachary Zitkovic - interned with the SJS Team in Sylvania, Ohio. Throughout their internship, they did activities including:
Learn about a wide variety of topics on personal finance, from taxes to insurance to the financial costs with having a family
Study the importance of investing, as well as different ways of investing
Introduction to retirement and other investment accounts (ex. IRA, 401(k), 529, HSA, etc.)
Research different investors and specific investments
Read The Investment Answer by Daniel C. Goldie and Gordon S. Murray as well as The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel, which they get to keep
Meet with most members of the SJS Team as well as some local business leaders
Create a LinkedIn profile (Kleiston, CJ, Beckham, Zach) and resume
Present an investment-related idea for the SJS Team to consider
We asked each student to write a summary of what they learned during the internship, which we share below. We thank Kleiston, CJ, Beckham, and Zach for spending their internship with us, and we wish them well going forward!
Kleiston Bonnell
I very much enjoyed my time at SJS. The staff was welcoming and very conversational. Bobby mentored us throughout the semester. We started with the basics such as what is a stock and a bond and how each works. We also learned early on some of the key characteristics of people who have become and stayed wealthy. We were provided with two books at the start, The Psychology of Money and The Investment Answer.
As our time continued, we met with many of the SJS team members to talk and sit in on calls with them. We would continue to sit with Bobby and learn about more of the jargon of the financial field such as REITS (real estate investment trusts) and ETFs (exchange traded funds). We learned about a way to get a head start on our future with a Roth IRA. We learned about different investment accounts such as 401(k)s, which are retirement plans offered by your job. We also learned about the 529 plan, which can be used to pay for education expenses.
Halfway through the internship, we met with a SJJ alumnus named Paul Kwapich, who runs River Asset Management. We were able to talk with him about his experience getting started in the real estate field. Coming to the end of our internship, I am very thankful for Kevin and Scott for giving us the opportunity to join them at SJS. And I would also like to thank Bobby for taking the time to mentor us and give us a head start on investing and helping us set ourselves up for success.
CJ Hornbeak
During my internship at SJS Investment Services, I have learned many things about the stock market, as well as many ways to save and potentially gain money. Because investments can lose money over short or even long periods, I need some stable money to keep and not invest (emergency account). I learned the difference between a stock and bond. A stock is a piece of ownership in a company you can buy yourself, and a bond is like a loan to a company or government. Also, owning a share of a REIT is like owning part of real estate, and with that comes the importance of paying off the buildings, taxes, and bonds.
I learned about mutual funds and ETFs, which are types of pooled investment securities. I also learned about different types of investment accounts, such as taxable accounts. I learned about Roth IRAs, in which you must contribute after-tax money. If you follow the rules, your contributions and earnings can grow tax-free, and you can withdraw them tax-free and penalty-free starting at age 59.5.
We went to Paul Kwapich’s real estate company, which owns, operates, and finances income-generating real estate. Bobby also gave us a book called The Psychology of Money, which talks about how dealing with money can be hard for many people. Doing well with money isn’t guaranteed - it’s a lot about how you behave. We also learned how a lot of wealthier people end up losing their wealth by buying nicer things and spending too much money instead of saving money and spending less.
I learned about FICA taxes, which provide necessary funding for the government to pay Social Security and Medicare benefits. FICA taxes are payroll taxes that occur before retirement plan contributions. Medicare provides healthcare primarily for people age 65 and older. Social Security provides income for people as they get older. We also learned about other taxes, as well as about tax deductions. Lastly, I learned about venture capital investing, which provides capital to startup companies and small businesses that may have long-term growth potential.
Beckham Schmitz
During my time at SJS Investment Services, I have been able to broaden my knowledge of the business world. Interning with SJS has presented me with a lot of opportunities and experiences. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I first joined the internship program at St. John’s. However, I am very fortunate that I decided to intern with SJS and am grateful for the knowledge it has left me.
During my time at SJS, I have undergone many talks and activities with Bobby Adusumilli. He gave us a rundown of the ins and outs of business. He taught us about managing money and strategies to potentially help set ourselves up for our futures. Also, he taught us a lot of business vocabulary so that we can better comprehend investment markets. Additionally, I am thankful for the different SJS team members we had the opportunity to speak with. Being able to see the different jobs and ask specific questions regarding their positions was very informative. I think learning how to start and operate a business will prepare us for our futures.
I am very thankful to the SJS team for allowing me to intern with them. This internship has left me with a lot of new knowledge and skills. I think this time spent at SJS will better set me up for my future and leave me with connections. I appreciate everyone at SJS for giving us their time and broadening our knowledge in their fields.
Zachary Zitkovic
SJS has helped me learn some of the necessary knowledge needed in order to make smart financial decisions. I really enjoyed and valued our lessons in learning how to manage money. This is a crucial skill that can be vital at such a young age to accumulate wealth over time. You must learn what “enough” is for you. When you learn how to budget but enjoy your money in a humble fashion, it can lead to smarter financial decisions and greater profits in the long run. Whether it means living below your means, value of paying taxes and bills on time, or just learning the value of investing in a broad-market index mutual fund instead of trying to beat the market, I truly can say I’m much more knowledgeable now than I was before this internship. These skills learned will live with me for the rest of my life and I am blessed to have been given the opportunity to be introduced to them at such a young age.
I think it’s incredibly important for many people to know that past performance on the market can’t guarantee what the future may look like. I learned in the book The Psychology of Money (given to us by the Advisors) that almost nothing is ever as good or as bad as you think. It helps to be level-headed in the investment world and not rush decisions because of a high or a low. The best money lesson I've learned over the past few months is that your money mindset is more important than the number in your bank account. If you fear money or think you're terrible with money, that may become true. It was also great learning about the different retirement plans like the IRA and 401(k). You may have the option to do Roth plans where you tax the money you put in right away, or Traditional where it’s taxed when it comes out. Roth is popular among younger investors but both are good plans depending on the company you may work for.
These 75 hours spent at SJS have been some of the most important and crucial time in all my time at St. John’s. It was great seeing how there’s so many different ways to achieving financial success. I’ve realized this based on all the different SJS team members, CEOs, and popular figures we researched, and learned how there’s no one straight path to achieving wealth. It was amazing learning about all the different stories and paths to see how people got to where they are today. The ability to learn from the employees at SJS has been nothing short of a blessing. Bobby has done an incredible job giving us the basics of many financial topics. We were even given the opportunity to tour and learn at Paul Kwapich’s real estate business River Asset Management. There, we were able to learn about the basics of real estate, much like how Bobby taught us in finance. The connections I’ve made with all the team members at SJS and their connections will be relationships that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Important Disclosure Information:
There is no guarantee investment strategies will be successful. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Diversification neither assures a profit nor guarantees against a loss in a declining market.
Advisory services are provided by SJS Investment Services, a registered investment advisor (RIA) with the SEC. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. SJS Investment Services does not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your legal or tax professionals for specific advice.
Statements contained in this article that are not statements of historical fact are intended to be and are forward looking statements. All forward looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on various expectations and assumptions concerning future events and they are subject to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected.
Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience.
Suggested Reading
Metroparks Toledo: Redefining Our Region
Further expansion, connection, and exceptional maintenance of existing Metroparks will continue to elevate our region in the eyes of the world and in the hearts of those who call Toledo home.
An interview with Scott Savage, who is Founder & CEO of SJS Investment Services as well as the President of the Board of Park Commissioners of Metroparks Toledo. This interview is part of our Stories of Giving & Achievement Series, highlighting organizations doing great work in the community.
Scott, how did you get involved with the Metroparks Toledo?
That answer will take us back over 20 years. That’s when the Metroparks Board asked me, along with former Toledo Fire Chief-turned-Mayor Mike Bell, to chair a very visionary 10-year land levy with one goal: fund the expansion of Metroparks Toledo. Built into that expansion was an acquisition of ecologically critical land. As a person who treasures and appreciates the ecological uniqueness of this part of the world, I was all in. The levy went through, and that land today is primarily part of what is known as the Oak Openings Corridor.
Source: “Oak Openings Preserve Metropark”. Metroparks Toledo, metroparkstoledo.com.
It must have been amazing to achieve that goal. What happened next?
It was, and I can tell you, after that, I was hooked on how this kind of work could make an impact on the people, the economy, and of course, wildlife. Most people don’t realize that this part of Northwest Ohio is unlike anywhere else in the world. After this one project, I felt called to help restore this vital ecology, and I realized it could happen while providing parks the community can enjoy. It didn’t have to be one or the other.
A few years later in 2007, Probate Judge Jack Puffenberger appointed me to join the three-person governing board responsible for overseeing Metroparks Toledo. I was both honored and very eager to do whatever I could to grow this park system. As part of that early work, we established the Mission of Metroparks Toledo, which fifteen years later is the same: to preserve and protect our natural resources for the benefit and enjoyment of all citizens in Lucas County and, I’ll add, the roughly seven million visitors we expect in 2022 alone.
Source: “Providence River Bluff Trail”. Metroparks Toledo, metroparkstoledo.com.
That vision must have been inspiring to the Metroparks team.
It was. And lofty. The park system is nothing like it is today. I’d say in 2007, Metroparks Toledo was an excellent park system, but it was mostly a suburban park system with only one of the handful of parks in operation in the actual City of Toledo. That would be Swan Creek Preserve Metropark which is a park in the district today.
So did you aim to bring more parks to the City of Toledo?
The short answer to that is, yes. But the Park Commissioners and the Team at Metroparks Toledo decided to do something even more ambitious. We decided a worthy vision would be to make sure every citizen in Lucas County would live within five miles of a Metropark.
That was lofty. At that time I bet most of the city’s residents were a long drive from a Metropark.
You’re right. But I am happy to report that our vision is a reality. Today, every citizen of Lucas County lives within five miles of a Metropark, making it easier for all people to access the physical and mental health benefits parks provide. In the process, we have brought the limelight to our region by winning the 2020 National Gold Medal Award in the large district category for excellence in parks and recreation management, the most prestigious honor in the parks and recreation industry.[1] I believe we can honestly say Toledo has the best parks in America.
That is impressive, and I’m sure getting to #1 in America was no easy feat.
Well, there are a lot of steps between any vision and its achievement, and plenty of stories. Maybe in future blogs, we can talk about some of them. I will say here that it has been gratifying to help transform the place we call home and help it gain the attention it deserves as a renaissance city, an ecologically important region, and a place for diverse people and families to live and thrive.
I have a feeling from your enthusiasm, you’re not done.
You’re right, and I’ll go even further to say, the best is yet to come! Yes, you may have read about it in the paper or online or seen it on the news. It’s the most ambitious project-to-date - The Glass City Riverwalk - and it is already redefining our region even more in the eyes of the world. Phase one is open and operating with more phases in construction now. The $200 million dollar project will create 300 new acres of connected green space on the East and West sides of the Maumee River, Downtown Toledo, and the Glass City Riverwalk. It will restore ecologically-sensitive habitats, and provide recreation for everyone. Studies have shown this project will drive more than $2 billion in economic impact.[2] For a $200 million price tag to return $2 billion, I’d say that’s a very good financial investment, not to mention we get a beautiful park to enjoy!
Source: “The Glass City Riverwalk”. Metroparks Toledo, metroparkstoledo.com.
At the core of it, all this work has been an investment, hasn’t it?
Yes, it has. And we aren’t done. Already in the works is an increased expansion and more connections between parks, further elevating our reputation as a premier place to live and work. The investment of time, knowledge, funds, and more from all who are involved is how this is happening. And in my experience, we are all thrilled to give because, quite simply, we all love this place or we wouldn’t be here. Why not do everything we can to make our region even better for the people here today and for the generations of the future? I’m humbled and feel so blessed to have been a part of this thing we call Metroparks Toledo for the last fifteen-plus years.
Important Disclosure Information & Sources:
[1] “Metroparks Receives National Gold Medal Award“. Metroparks Toledo, 28-Oct-2020, metroparkstoledo.com.
[2] “Glass City Riverwalk”. Metroparks Toledo, glasscityriverwalk.com.
Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience.
Suggested Reading
Stories Of Giving & Achievement: The Series
These are stories of achievement that can only come through caring enough about you, your communities, and the world to give our time, financial support, our passion to offer a helping hand to those in their time of need.
When we say, “You come first. All the time. Every time,” we certainly mean you, the individual. But we also mean you, the community. Yes, SJS Investment Services has had a nearly three-decade-long track record of putting the communities where you live first, whether that be Toledo, Ohio; Phoenix, Arizona; Chicago, Illinois, or elsewhere in the U.S. and even the world.
“I believe that the measure of any community is how that community walks hand-in-hand with the most vulnerable among us. And that positive results come by doing the hard things,” says SJS Founder & CEO Scott Savage.
Candidly, Scott has never wanted to talk publicly about our giving; but, he does agree that sharing with you all the good news, and all the impact our efforts are making, is a positive that can fuel more progress. Perhaps even inspire others to give more to great causes.
So introducing, “Stories of Giving & Achievement: The Series.” We promise that within these articles in our upcoming Quarterly Outlooks and blog posts on our website, we will temper the self-serving photos of us and stories where we give ourselves pats on the back. That’s not our style. What you will see are stories of achievement that can only come through caring enough about you, your communities, and the world to give our time, financial support, our passion to offer a helping hand to those in their time of need.
Important Disclosure Information:
Advisory services are provided by SJS Investment Services, a registered investment advisor (RIA) with the SEC. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Suggested Reading
Two Graduating High School Students Shadow SJS Investment Services
For two graduating high school Seniors who shadowed us recently, we asked each student to write a 2-3 paragraph summary of what they learned during the week.
One of our favorite traditions at SJS Investment Services is when students shadow us for a week. Many current SJS Team members first learned about SJS through shadowing, so it brings back good memories for us. It is also an opportunity for us to teach the next generation of investors some of what we have learned, as well as learn from them.
From May 09-13, 2022, two graduating Seniors from St. John’s Jesuit High School - Jacob Kelly and Michael Leslie - shadowed the SJS Team in Sylvania, Ohio. Throughout the week, they did activities including:
Learned about the importance of investing, as well as different ways of investing
Introduced to retirement and other investment accounts (ex. IRA, 401(k), 529, HSA, etc.)
Read The Investment Answer by Daniel C. Goldie and Gordon S. Murray
Created sample financial simulations
Presented an investment-related idea for the SJS Team to consider
We asked each student to write a 2-3 paragraph summary of what they learned during the week, which we share below. We thank Jacob and Michael for spending the week with us, and we wish them well as they embark on their college journeys!
Jacob Kelly
This senior project has allowed me to expand my knowledge of investing and different investment account types much farther than what I previously knew. Being fairly uninformed did help me to keep an open-minded approach, which paid off immensely when discussing the many accounts available to me now as well as later on in life. Learning more about SJS was something very eye-opening to me, as they try to understand the problems people face in today’s world. Their philosophy is very similar to what St. John’s has preached to me through the “The Grad at Grad”. Putting people first is what the “Grad at Grad” strives to achieve, and I have seen throughout my time here that everyone wants success for their clients. SJS has its own form of this, though more expanded, through its many values for all of the clients within their firm to make them feel more as a friend than a customer.
Understanding a company can take you far, but without discipline and patience to gain the full knowledge of what you are going into can cause confusion. This is where I felt the staff at SJS helped immensely to make a comfortable environment for those new to investing or trading. I had zero idea how to open any investment accounts before entering SJS, and now I feel more confident in my knowledge of investment accounts, Roth accounts, and even just IRAs. The biggest takeout for me: time is an asset that can depreciate as fast as it gives value.
Michael Leslie
After spending a week at SJS, I’ve expanded my knowledge and understanding of the stock market. They took our project as an opportunity to really mentor us in their philosophy. Not only did they teach about stocks, but they gave me a lot of advice about life in general. Going into this week I had little to no information about where to even start to invest. With the help of Bobby, I am now confident that by staying disciplined and taking smart risks, I can gain a head up on other young people my age.
The mentorship will definitely go a long way for me, but how this company functions will certainly stick with me. Having a couple of high school kids hanging around the office for an entire week is something I would imagine to maybe create stress and could feel like a burden. I did not get this feeling from anyone here throughout the week. Everyone that I talked to seemed so nice and truly made me feel like they wanted us there. The Advisors clearly collaborate well, which really makes this office feel like a true team. Several members of the team took us out to lunch, which is something that they did not need to do but went a long way. Going into my career, I will not be able to help but compare other companies to SJS.
Important Disclosure Information:
There is no guarantee investment strategies will be successful. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Diversification neither assures a profit nor guarantees against a loss in a declining market.
Advisory services are provided by SJS Investment Services, a registered investment advisor (RIA) with the SEC. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. SJS Investment Services does not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your legal or tax professionals for specific advice.
Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience and we disclaim any responsibility for information, services or products found on websites or other information linked hereto.
Suggested Reading
Paying It Forward
Inspired by many clients throughout the years, SJS Team Members are encouraged to “pay it forward“ with their time, talents, and resources to advance the missions of worthy non-profit organizations.
By SJS Investment Services Founder & CEO Scott Savage.
Inspired by many clients throughout the years, SJS Team Members are encouraged to “pay it forward“ with their time, talents, and resources to advance the missions of worthy non-profit organizations.
For the last 13 years, I have had the good fortune of being appointed by Probate Judge Jack Puffenberger to the Board of Park Commissioners responsible for the governance of Metroparks Toledo. The five-member Board meets monthly in a public forum, as the majority of funding for this 90-year-old conservation and preservation agency comes from property owners in Lucas County.
Source: “Cannaley Treehouse Village”. Metroparks Toledo, metroparkstoledo.com.
Similar to SJS' story over the last 26 years, Metroparks Toledo has been guided with a big Vision, an unwavering Mission, Core Values, and a Team of people who Exceptionally Execute on a daily basis to make the Vision real.
For years, the Vision focused on access to parks and trails. Research tells us that the closer one lives to a park or trail, the more likely they will enjoy the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of a Metropark![1] Our North Star was for every citizen of Lucas County to live within five miles of a Metropark. Aggressive expansion and increased connectivity between parks ensued. In 2020, we dedicated Manhattan Marsh Metropark in North Toledo, thus achieving the Vision.
Source: “Manhattan Marsh Preserve Metropark”. Metroparks Toledo, metroparkstoledo.com.
What did this mean? Time for a new Vision!
With incredible input from fellow Board Members and the Team at Metroparks, the new Vision was adopted:
Metroparks Toledo will be, in its culture and community engagements, the beacon for conservation of natural resources; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and the activation and promotion of spaces that enhance physical and mental health. The communal pursuit of these aspirations will elevate our region and transform its identity.
I believe that Metroparks Toledo has always been on the short list of community assets that help distinguish the Northwest Ohio region in a positive way. In fact, Metroparks Toledo was the recipient of the 2020 National Gold Medal Award for excellence in parks and recreation management, the most prestigious honor in the parks and recreation industry.[2]
Bold Vision combined with Exceptional Execution has created a culture of excellence as we strive to preserve and protect some of the world’s most precious resources. Making sure each contribution is “Metroparks-worthy“ drives the actions of all associated, from employees to volunteers. All agree, the future of Metroparks Toledo is clear and bright. Guided by our Vision, the best is yet to come!
My hope is this story inspires you to engage your passion and make the world a little better place for our children and grandchildren.
Important Disclosure Information & Sources:
[1] “The Value Of Metroparks“. Metroparks Toledo, metroparkstoledo.com.
[2] “Metroparks Receives National Gold Medal Award“. Metroparks Toledo, 28-Oct-2020, metroparkstoledo.com.
Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience and we disclaim any responsibility for information, services or products found on websites or other information linked hereto.
Suggested Reading
Three Graduating High School Students Shadow SJS Investment Services
For three graduating high school Seniors who shadowed us recently, we asked each student to write a 2-3 paragraph summary of what they learned during the week.
One of our favorite traditions at SJS Investment Services is when students shadow us for a week. Many current SJS Team members first learned about SJS through shadowing, so it brings back good memories for us. Additionally, it is an opportunity for us to teach the next generation of investors some of what we have learned, as well as learn from them.
From May 10-14, 2021, three graduating Seniors from St. John’s Jesuit High School - Max Bruss, Theodore Gothier, Nicolas Conway (in order, pictured above) - shadowed the SJS Team in Sylvania, Ohio. Throughout the week, they did activities including:
Learned about the importance of investing, as well as different ways of investing
Learned about retirement and other investment accounts (ex. IRA, 401(k), 529, HSA, etc.)
Created a LinkedIn profile (Max, Theodore, Nicolas) and resume
Read The Investment Answer by Daniel C. Goldie and Gordon S. Murray
Helped create financial presentations and simulations
Pitched an investment idea for the SJS Team to consider
We asked each student to write a 2-3 paragraph summary of what they learned during the week, which we share below. We thank Max, Theodore, and Nicolas for spending the week with us, and we wish them well as they embark on their college journeys!
Max Bruss
My experience at SJS Investment Services has been very beneficial for me in learning about many aspects of working in the real world. The sense of community as well as team efforts stand out tremendously here. Everyone combines their intelligence and diligence to keep the ship sailing. This allows for agreement on good ideas one may have that others aren’t thinking of, among other things. All colleagues here have something different to offer in a different aspect of the business. I would say the group of people working here is quite optimal for the business and they all fit into their positions quite well.
One reason I say they fit well here is because they all were able to educate us on everything that goes on here and who has which responsibilities. Mr. Schaetzke taught us about the connections with clientele and how new clients come to the firm for their services. Mr. Adusumilli taught us about how to decide which investments may be right for us. He also showed us how you can approach different situations including getting employed, treating people right, doing research on your investments, making pinpoint decisions based on your research, and starting early on your investments.
We spoke to Mr. Ludwig and he gave his expertise on bonds and how mass adoption changes the world constantly. An important lesson Mr. Savage gave us was his experience with running a business and making mistakes to get to where he is today. Another thing he presented to us was how important it is to have mentors to guide you in the right direction in becoming extremely successful. After all, if something has worked for someone in the past, it may work for someone else in the future. That, of course, applies to having success in running a business. I would love to include my experiences with all of the extraordinary people I have talked to over the past week but this was just meant to be a brief overview of my experience here. There was a lot of knowledge handed to us; it was quite an interesting experience to have shadowed here. I will be taking the things I have learned during this experience for the rest of my life and into the financial world.
Theodore Gothier
The opportunity to shadow at SJS has provided me with much more than I expected. Not only did I gain real world insight into the professional world but I was able to learn from everyone at the firm about what they do and how they tie in the needs of their clients to their constantly developing philosophy, MarketPlus Investing. Each individual of the team provided me with knowledge about investing and financial planning that I believe will be very beneficial for my future in finance. They even taught me things to potentially help me better handle my money for the long term prosperity of it, whether that be planning what to invest in retirement accounts or learning to choose a diversified portfolio in a market that is hard to predict.
Spending time with everyone exposed me to different sides of finance, like client facing as well as analytical, which really opened my eyes to the opportunities that exist and how each person plays a different part in the investment world but often work together to benefit the same client. A lot of the time spent was with Bobby Adusumilli, the main point of contact for this experience, who prepared me well to fully immerse myself with this time through planned presentations and a schedule that allowed him to educate us in the multiple facets of equities such as through mutual funds or ETFs, retirement accounts like a Roth IRA, or even bonds of which I was unfamiliar with until I came here. After this, I got to sit down with different SJS employees who each specialize in a different part of the business to learn more about what they do. I was often given resources to do more research and to help guide me. With each person at SJS, employees and in management, I felt like wisdom was passed down that will stick with me. I feel like this was not just a professional experience, but an educational one that will make me better prepared for my future endeavors.
Nicolas Conway
My time here at SJS has been something I will come to remember. Having the opportunity to shadow here has helped create the first step into a field I believe I will enjoy. I have gained a lot of knowledge on lots of aspects related to investing, as well as other things that have stood out about working in the real world. Learning from and listening to many different people throughout SJS has provided wisdom and can serve somewhat as a guide for the future. Through meeting everyone and seeing the different roles they play, I see the knowledge that comes along their strong interests in investing.
With Bobby as the main person talking with us and scheduling our days, he provided a lot of helpful knowledge that can greatly support my money managing when I get older. Through a lot of our talks and discussions, I learned about different types of investment accounts which can potentially help maximize returns over time. Starting to invest early is one of the biggest things for someone like me in order to help me potentially maximize my returns and be financially stable for the future. We also learned about different ways that someone can invest money through the different types of investments like stocks, bonds, real estate, etc., depending on the volatility that someone is willing to accept. All things together, I enjoyed shadowing here, as they showed me a lot of different aspects of the workplace environment and gave me an overview of the finance field.
Important Disclosure Information:
There is no guarantee investment strategies will be successful. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Diversification neither assures a profit nor guarantees against a loss in a declining market.
Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience and we disclaim any responsibility for information, services or products found on websites or other information linked hereto.
Suggested Reading
Toledo-Made: Gifts From The 419
I love Toledo, Ohio. There are so many great businesses in this area, and the least I can do is to support them. Here is a list of local gifts that I usually consider.
By SJS Investment Services Founder & CEO Scott Savage.
I love Toledo, Ohio. I love living here, I love the people here, and I love working here. I was born and raised in this area, and I have spent the majority of my adult life here. Most of my family still lives in the Toledo area, and two of my adult children decided to move back here even after going to college in other cities (I am working on getting the other two to come back “home”). I enjoy my life here, and I don’t plan to leave anytime soon.
Toledo, also known as the Glass City, is in the early innings of a rebirth, a renaissance, making it a great place to live, work, and play. Toledo has so much to offer: small town values where you know your neighbors' names, affordable cost of living, you can get anywhere you want in less than 20 minutes. The Toledo area is home to a world class zoo & art museum, dynamic universities, two strong healthcare systems, the most iconic brand in minor league sports, and the birthplace of the first commercially successful cadmium telluride solar cell technology. The Detroit Airport, which will take you anywhere you want to go in the world, is less than an hour away. And we have the best metropark system in the United States![1][2]
I feel that I owe a lot to Toledo. Whenever I meet someone from somewhere else and we start talking about our backgrounds, I talk glowingly about the Toledo area and my experiences growing up here. Most people tell me that I have a love and enthusiasm for my city that they rarely encounter. And yet, I don’t feel I say anything odd - I genuinely love talking about Toledo.
When I go to an event such as a wedding, graduation ceremony, or birthday party for a family member or friend, I usually try to gift something from a business based in the Toledo area. There are so many great businesses in this area, and the least I can do is to support them. Below is a list of gifts that I usually consider giving:
Sports & Outdoors
Sciences
Arts
Apparel & Merchandise
Food & Drinks
Even we have our own SJS Investment Services umbrellas that we often give to people who visit the office on rainy days!
Source: Metroparkstoledo.com.
I hope that you enjoy the 419’s local businesses as much as I do. If you think I’m missing something on this list, please feel free to message me. I’m always looking for new great experiences in the Toledo area, and I hope to share these experiences with others as well.
Important Disclosure Information And Sources:
[1] “Cadmium telluride photovoltaics”. Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org.
[2] “Metroparks Receives National Gold Medal Award“. Metroparks Toledo, metroparkstoledo.com.
Advisory services are provided by SJS Investment Services, a registered investment advisor (RIA) with the SEC. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. There is no guarantee investment strategies will be successful. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Diversification neither assures a profit nor guarantees against a loss in a declining market.
The information about providers and services contained on this website does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by SJS Investment Services. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only.
Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience and we disclaim any responsibility for information, services or products found on websites or other information linked hereto.
Suggested Reading
'Tis The Season: 7 Tips To Help Your Favorite Nonprofit Raise More Money
For nonprofits, less than 50% of donations come from the previous year’s donors. Here are 7 ways to potentially inspire more giving to your favorite nonprofit.
By SJS Founder & CEO Scott Savage.
Recently, I was at a nonprofit board meeting, and the new Executive Director explained that she is focusing on increasing annual giving and building a large base of people who support the nonprofit’s mission every year. We started discussing the reasons why nonprofits don’t inspire consistent annual donations from the same donors, as well as potential strategies to increase donations. Little did she know that just the night before, I had an identical conversation with the leadership of another nonprofit client!
Predictable donations allow nonprofits to better plan operating budgets, create more reliable spending policies, and focus more on advancing their missions. The more that nonprofits have to worry about donations, the less time they may have to fulfill their missions; this also can make nonprofit donations less effective, creating a negative reinforcement cycle.
For nonprofits, less than 50% of donations come from the previous year’s donors.[1] If donors were motivated to give last year, why wouldn’t they want to give to the same nonprofit this year? We believe there are three primary reasons:[2][3]
They weren’t personally thanked in a meaningful way.
They weren’t personally asked to donate again.
They don’t know whether their donations made an actual difference.
So how can nonprofits inspire donors to give more frequently?
We as human beings make most decisions based on emotion. We choose with our hearts and justify with our minds. When we consider donating, we try to find the feeling that makes us pause and get a lump in our throats because the nonprofit’s mission and story resonate so closely with us. When a story emotionally affects us in a way that’s hard to put to words, yet we want to help, then the nonprofit has an opportunity to really connect with potential donors. If the nonprofit has good processes in place to collaborate with these donors, then this can increase the chances of more consistent donations. It tends to be easier to motivate existing donors to keep donating than to inspire new donors.
Here are 7 ways to potentially inspire more giving to your favorite nonprofit:
Tell More Stories
Tell stories that resonate emotionally with donors first, then back up these stories with critical and relevant statistics. Heart first, then head.
Use Visuals To Evidence Impact
So many of us skim words, but we love pictures (hence the adage that they are worth 1000 words!). Illustrate mission impact visually for a lasting impression.
Express Gratitude - Often
Personally thank donors - and not via email or text. In-person (or virtual) conversations or phone calls are the most effective ways. Handwritten notes are also highly effective (given that they are so rare). If you must email, be sure it’s custom and individualized.
Provide More Opportunities For Engagement
Did you know that a volunteer donates up to 10x more than a non-volunteer?[4] It makes sense of course - the more engaged we are in a nonprofit’s mission, the more loyal we are to it.
Public Recognition
If you ask donors if they want recognition for their gifts, most will decline; it’s human nature. But we know that donors are motivated to give when they see their friends, peers, or others doing great things. Leverage newsletters, luncheons, and social media as much as you can.
Don’t Forget To ASK!
It’s amazing how often nonprofits “leave money on the table” by not cultivating and soliciting gifts. It should be part of the daily routine for leadership, no matter how big or small the organization.
And On That Note… Ask For Automatic Donations!
Invest in the technology that ensures recurring gifts. Instead of asking for $120, you could ask for $10 per month which will renew year-after-year - and will also give 11 more occasions to say thank you and illustrate impact!
All of the above is easy to say, hard to do. In my experience, seeking the expertise of an experienced nonprofit consultant is worth its weight in gold. They can make sure your organization has the right people doing the right things at the right time to build the critical mass of annual donors who are your key to the future and to further cement your legacy.
We at SJS try to help nonprofits accomplish their missions, helping with strategy, spending, and investment policies. If you want to talk about your favorite nonprofit, we would love to serve you as well.
Important Disclosure Information and Sources:
[1] “4 Surprising Donor Retention Statistics.“ Simone O’Connor, 31-Jan-2020, causevox.com.
[2] “Why Donors Don’t Give Second Gifts (And How You Can Improve Your Chances).“ Tina Jepson, causevox.com.
[3] “Fundraising Solutions.“ Aly Sterling, alysterling.com.
[4] “How to Measure Volunteer Impact.“ George Weiner, wholewhale.com.
Advisory services are provided by SJS Investment Services, a registered investment advisor with the SEC. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. SJS Investment Services does not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your legal or tax professionals for specific advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only.
Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience and we disclaim any responsibility for information, services or products found on websites or other information linked hereto.
Suggested Reading
SJS And Your Metroparks – How Are They Alike?
Restoring, preserving, protecting: It’s no coincidence that the tenets that I believe make for good environmental strategy also may make for a good financial strategy.
By SJS Founder & CEO Scott Savage
Metroparks Toledo – a place where people choose to spend their time to the tune of four million visits each year – is an organization built on three tenets: 1. Restoring, 2. Preserving, and 3. Protecting.[1] The parks system is widely admired for restoring ecosystems across thousands of acres of land. In early 2018, Howard Marsh Metropark was dedicated, restoring 1,000 acres that had been used as farmland to a functioning wetland near the Lake Erie shore.[2] As a marsh, the land filters runoff water before it reaches the Lake and provides an important spawning habitat for fish, as well as a stopover habitat for a variety of birds.
Metroparks Toledo is appreciated for preserving rare and important habitats. And, it’s applauded for protecting the land by developing beautiful, natural parks that are true gifts for generations to come. The work takes planning, agility, collaboration, and perseverance. Metroparks Toledo possesses all of these qualities plus an ambitious vision: a park located within five miles of every resident – a regional centerpiece for why many people decide to live and work in northwest Ohio. With 16 parks now open for people to go out and enjoy, that vision is becoming a reality.
Restoring, preserving, and protecting. The same words describe our mission at SJS Investment Services. SJS works to restore calm to our clients who are in the midst of life’s most challenging transitions. We strive to preserve people’s wealth, hard-earned through the decades of their careers. And, we endeavor to protect family and organizational legacies well into the future so our clients can care for the people and the causes that matter the most to them. These endeavors, too, take planning, agility, collaboration, and perseverance. Plus, we help each client articulate their vision for the future. People count on SJS Investment Services to be there and to help them make their vision a reality.
As a leader of both SJS – the company I founded – and the Metroparks Board of Commissioners, restoring, preserving, and protecting are values that I was raised with and believe in. It’s no coincidence that the same tenets that I believe make for good environmental strategy also may make for a good financial strategy. (After all, couldn’t we consider the environment a form of wealth, too?) I view both as vital to today’s quality of life. And as a legacy we leave to future generations.
Sources:
[1] “The Value of Metroparks,” metroparkstoledo.com.
[2] “Howard Marsh Metropark to Open April 28 Near Lake Erie,” metroparkstoledo.com.