United Way
Kamloops
Kamloops, B.C. – At United Way we know that investments in youth are investments in the future. For the seventh year in a row young professionals from our community have made the funding decisions when it comes to the Youth Initiative Grants.
Using sponsorship from TELUS and Interior Savings and funds from GenNext, seven grants of approximately $1,000 or more were awarded to youth throughout our region. These projects will happen over the next several months throughout the Cariboo, North Thompson and Nicola regions. The allocation team was made up of young professionals from the United Way Youth Club and GenNext.
“I am very thankful for the Youth Initiative Grants. There are none out there like it. I hope it continues in the future!” said a youth who received a grant to do a weekend long HIV education workshop with First Nations youth in 2013.
These innovative and creative projects are created by youth for youth and encompass everything from the first ever PRIDE event at a rural school to youth cooking and providing meals to the homeless.
Below is a list of the Youth Initiative Grant recipients for 2014:
• Youth for Kids Mentorship Events in partnership with School District in Clearwater. Hosting free community events (cooking, sports, art) for kids with the goal of inspiring community engagement and developing leadership.
• McLure Family Nights in partnership with Volunteer Fire Department in McLure. Hosting a monthly family movie night at the volunteer Fire Hall to provide families with a recreational activity in their own community. Will include a craft and a snack.
• Warm Your Heart in partnership with Boys and Girls in Williams Lake. Youth in partnership with BGC providing a free meal to the homeless population. The attendees will also receive warm clothes.
• Smart Step Youth Association in partnership with Community Policing in Merritt. Youth leadership initiative that will clean-up and re-paint a community mural.
• Dairy Fields Trail Adoption in partnership with Scout Island in Williams Lake. Greenologists youth club enhancing trail systems and engaging classes to be better stewards.
• PRIDE Awareness in partnership with Cariboo Family Enrichment in 100 Mile House. A new club will hold first ever PRIDE events at school, including a school-wide facilitated workshop.
• SAAVI Art Exhibition in partnership with the YMCA/YWCA Children Who Witness Abuse program in Kamloops. A program for girls who have witnessed abuse will create art as part of their group work and ultimately host an art show.