Throughout the last year, the Youth on Course Leadership Council (YOCLC), made up of high school-aged Youth on Course members from throughout Northern California, has been busy creating the first ever YOCLC Grants Program. After conceiving the idea of the Grants Program and working out details with Program Director Michael Lowe, the group didn’t miss a beat. The first meeting of 2016 began with a workshop about the grant making process, which was led by Program Officer Sarah Percoulis, of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation.
With the new tips and tricks they learned in the workshop, the YOCLC immediately began creating and organizing the parameters for the program. They decided to award $10,000 in grants to organizations that benefit the community in four main areas of focus: community service, education, special needs assistance, and veterans. The goal of the Grants Program is to support the work of community-based organizations, but also to empower the YOCLC by engaging its youth leaders in the grant making process.
The YOCLC designed an in-depth application that was open to applicants by the fall. By mid-December, the YOCLC formed a committee to review applications and conduct the interviewing process.
In the end, there were four organizations that each received a $2,500 grant. Each organization is a great representation of at least one of the main focus areas in each of their respective communities. The four recipient organizations are:
Kids First is an organization focused on child abuse prevention and creating strong, vibrant communities by decreasing the risk of child maltreatment.
A Touch of Understanding is celebrating 20 years of providing disability awareness programs designed to educate a new generation to understand the challenges associated with disabilities and to accept and respect all individuals
Each One Reach One focuses on mentor-based performing arts and academic tutoring, and health and life skills programs to divert incarcerated youth from a life in prison to become a productive community member.
Ace Kids Golf ensures that less-advantaged youth receive awareness of the game of golf and its positives values. The program teaches teamwork, cooperation, and the full development of one’s potential.
After helping deliver the grants, Brayden, a member of the YOCLC, said it best, “I think this small grant idea turned out to be a big help to these four organizations. It was an awesome idea and turned out great!”
Thank you to all of the applicants, and to Sarah at Monterey Peninsula Foundation for guiding the way to a successful program. We are so proud of the YOCLC and there is no doubt that with all of their hard work and dedication they’re making a big impact on each recipient as well as on future YOCLC members.