GREENVILLE YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL AWARDS $40,000+ IN GRANTS FOR 2012

(Greenville) – The Greenville Youth Advisory Council (GYAC) and the Greenville Area Community Foundation (GACF) Board of Trustees are pleased to announce grants awarded for 2012.

 The GYAC, which includes 29 youth grant makers in the 8^th through the 12^th grades at Greenville, awarded grants totaling $32,572 to eight organizations.   Grants are awarded from the W. K. Kellogg Youth Fund, housed within the Greenville Area Community Foundation.

One of the more significant grants was awarded to the First Congregational Church to fund Flat River Workcamp II.  The project will bring over 400 high school youth group participants to Greenville and allow local youth groups to participate in a week-long mission in the Greenville area that will provide help to 60-80 elderly and low-income families’ with much needed home improvement projects.  “The benefits of this program for the area and its youth are immense,” said Josh Gibbs, Head of the Workcamp committee.  I have seen this program in action and believe it provides what I call ‘the multiplier effect of doing good deeds.’  It benefits the youth and adult volunteers.  It benefits the local suppliers and businesses.  And most importantly, it benefits those that need to receive the help they are being offered,” adds Gibbs.

Another large grant was awarded to the Greenville Community Church to develop ten acres of land into two softball fields, eight AYSO soccer fields, a skateboard park, and two picnic areas.

Greenville High School’s H.O.N.K (Helping Out New Kids) group received funding for equipment and supplies to support their efforts, and High School Media Specialist, Laura Pleune, received a grant to purchase books for the student book club.

Four additional grants went to teachers at Greenville Public Schools.  Greenville High School teacher Jeff Ayres received a grant to bring a professional, guest artist for the 13^th Annual Jazz Day.  Recycle bins, gloves, and storage containers will provide the Lincoln Heights Elementary Recycle Club the tools to collect non-traditional items to recycle through Terra Cycle, a non-profit organization that turns the materials into “credits” to feed the poor.  High School Spanish teacher, Erin DeWind, received funding for a set of IPod Touches to provide world language students with technology to assist in their exploration of the world including its culture and language.

Grants were also awarded to the Alpha Family Center of Greenville for their Earn-While-You-Learn Parenting Program, Community Hope Christian Counseling & Mental Health Center for a Middle School substance abuse prevention program, and the Greenville Recreation Department for youth sports coach’s resources.  Another grant went to Great Lakes Peace Jam.  Former Greenville Middle School educator Douglas Dodd, will form Peace Jam Clubs in the Greenville High School and Middle School.

 The next opportunity to apply for a grant from the Greenville Youth Advisory Council will be in November.  Any non-profit, tax exempt organization in the Greenville area can apply.  Special consideration will be given to applications that address the following needs or issues:  substance abuse, poor performance in school, confidence and self-esteem issues in girls, health and wellness issues, teen driver safety, teen pregnancy, hunger or food insecurity, dating violence, access to recreation, and homelessness.  Call the GACF office at 616.754.2640 or email Amy O’Brien at grants@gacfmi.org for more information.