ICCF Youth Advisory Council (YAC)
What is YAC?
The Iosco County Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is a group of young people ages 12 to 21 from Iosco County. Working with adult advisors, these youth work to improve the lives of other children in the community through the allocation of grant money. By participating in the grant review meetings to decide how the grant money is disbursed, the YAC members actively learn about the unique needs of their communities, and how to provide for those needs. They also learn the importance of philanthropy and charitable giving - traits that will affect their lives long after they leave high school.Through this program, created by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, members learn how to meet the specific needs of their community, and it empowers them to make a real difference.
Youth Advisory Council Grants
Each year, the ICCF YAC awards grants to area projects and programs that benefit the youth of Iosco County. YAC members prepare throughout the year for their main task of determining where grant funding from the Iosco County Kellogg Youth Fund will go. The grant deadline is February 28.
Apply for ICCF Youth Advisory Council Grants
YAC News
Community Service
From grantmaking and community service to building philanthropy awareness, the Iosco County YAC has been busy helping their communities. Throughout the year, YAC participates in several community service projects including support for Relay for Life, their annual Rake and Run project, visiting nursing homes, cleaning up ski trails, and selling National Philanthropy Day awareness ribbons at their schools. For the 2008-09 year, YAC has even designated a special Community Service Committee to lead their efforts.
Youth Leadership Conference
Four Iosco County YAC members and an advisor traveled to Michigan State University in Lansing to attend the 2009 Summer Youth Leadership Institute, hosted by the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF). This year's theme was "A Second Look: Seeing Challenges as Opportunities." YACers participated in projects that focused around using grants and community service to address these difficult times, and learning how to use their own personal skills to build leadership for themselves and the areas where they live.
Grants
Grantmaking is at the heard of YAC's work. This year, ICCF YAC awarded seven grants totaling over $10,000 to support youth in their communities. 2009 grants are:
$2,500 to Whittemore-Prescott Schools for Public Safety Appreciation and Community Involvement Day
$1,528.32 to Huron Hockey and Skating Association for an on-ice track system harness
$1,000 Special Olympics of Michigan (Area 31) for the 2009 bowling season
$750 each to St. Joseph Health Care System and St. Paul Lutheran Church to purchase backpacks for children
$700 to Whittemore-Prescott Area Schools for a student mentor program
$300 (mini-grant) to Hale Area Schools for Red Ribbon Week Activities
Iosco County YAC Advisors
John Bowman (Whittemore-Prescott Area Schools)
Julie Decker (Tawas Area Schools)
Leo Giori (Hale Area Schools)
Interested in becoming a YAC member?
Young people from Iosco County who are interested in becoming a member of the Youth Advisory Council should contact 877-354-6881 or contact the advisor from their school.