Youth Advisory Council Program Overview (in their own words)
During, the first year that YAC was launched, we learned about the concept of philanthropy: the how(s), why(s), and what(s). The Council was provided grant funds from the Foundation’s Matt Miller Fund and was tasked with re-granting that money to worthwhile causes that were positively impacting youth on St. Croix. We were excited about awarding 3 grants to local organizations (UVI’s Upward Bound, The Boys and Girls Club Teen Program, and Juanita Gardine’s Steel Pan Band).
But, while the funds were successfully awarded and follow up reports were being evaluated, we realized that the impact of the grants was not enough to address some of the most pressing issues we first identified during our initial YAC meetings. At those early meetings in 2009, the conversation about pressures teens face was followed by a very raw survey among YAC members and our peers. The raw data collected revealed that teens were desperate for mentors, leaders, counselors, and positive activities.
Council members consequently decided that the most crucial role for us, beyond youth grantmakers, was to bridge the perceived “disconnect” between the realities youth face on a day to day basis and that which adults perceive. Our Council’s next project, a survey entitled, “Answers for Change,” was born.
To download a copy of the Youth Advisory Council Survey 2011, click here.
Our Survey is the Council’s CONCH SHELL message to all: Our Youths are hungry for change! The Foundation’s YAC truly believes that commissioners, educators, department of education, housing parks and recreation, and other adults on the island have the best intentions for plans and programs where youths are concerned. And, we want to believe that adults are not just filling these positions for a paycheck. But we often times feel that many decisions are made in isolation, and therefore, do not have the positive impact intended, just like to our small grants for the community.
We plan on sharing the results from the survey at a youth forum in the fall on this year as we try to empower youths by engaging them in critical thought about their unique role in our community and how, without each one of them, there would be a void. Our message is clear for the youth forum- we NEED the participation of every young person to elevate our community beyond the blame game, criminal activity, anger and corruption so rampant in our community.
Although it will be difficult to overcome these challenges, we will tackle them by combining our great ideas, negotiating skills, and investing our money in programs that will provide us with positive returns for the community and youth.
YAC is taking action to promote positive programs for youth and we want you to help us take action! To learn more about YAC, contact The St. Croix Foundation at 340-773-9898, or check out our Facebook page, R!GHT on TYME, or e-mail us at scfyac2009@yahoo.com.
