The 27 students that comprise Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Youth Grant Committee have made 17 grants to local nonprofits that serve young people. The teens attend high schools throughout Kent County. To determine the focus of their grantmaking each year, the group conducts a survey of its peers. The most recent survey completed last fall showed that young people were concerned about how to protect themselves from sexual and physical abuse and learning how to resist negative and harmful activities. “A number of the grants reflect the results of the survey. The Youth Grant Committee members stay true to what they learn from the survey and what they learn from their peers. The programs that are funded that reflect that knowledge,” said Cris Kooyer, Youth Program Officer.
Grants this year totaled $58,300.
- St. John's Home - Success in School, $5,000
- Living In Fulfillment Everyday, Inc. - Life Connect, $5,000
- United Methodist Community House - The Youth Connection Pilot Project, $5000
- Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan - Something to Say, $4,800
- Arbor Circle Corporation - Day Programming, $4,000
- Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities - Art in the Neighborhood, $4,000
- New City Neighbors - Breaktime Bakery, $4000
- Comprehensive Therapy Center - Community Teens Collaborate at Therapy and Fun, $4,000
- Specialized Language Development Center - Language Links, $3,500
- Oakdale Neighbors - Read-it book Club, $3,100
- Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired - Summer in the City/STEPS, $3,000
- Child and Family Resource Council - Resources Against Violent Encounters (RAVE), $3,000
- Grand Rapids Children's Museum - Connor’s Friends: An Evening for Children with Autism, $2,800
- Christian Camps for Inner City Youth/Camp Tall Turf - The Roosevelt Wave, $2,750
- Strategic Outreach Services - SOS Kids, $2,000
- City of Kentwood - Recreational Scholarship Enhancement Fund, $1,500
- Camp Fire USA West Michigan - Peer Proof, $1,270