Youth Advisory Committee Formed at The Luzerne Foundation Student Run Group to Research and Award Grants
What happens when you put a group of twenty-eight 9th-12thgraders from seven different schools together in a room? Noise? Lots of clicking and texting? A bit of trepidation, perhaps some boredom? Probably all of the above. But when those students are part of YAC, you will also see excitement, determination, curiosity, and collaboration. These students are there for a purpose.
YAC members are learning the fundamentals of philanthropy. Many have probably participated in fundraisers – a bake sale, dance marathon, car wash, etc. Thus, it may not be out of their comfort zone to solicit potential donors to raise approximately $15,000 to give away. It is the next step that provides a challenge.
How do you give that money away? Throughout the year-long program, “YACsters” survey community needs, solicit grant applications and review them. Site visits occur, and reports are presented to the entire group so that votes may be taken on who should receive the grants. The students quickly understand that the needs are many, and there is not always enough to go around.
Twenty nonprofits were invited to present at a YAC nonprofit forum where members asked direct questions. The group narrowed the field to 12 nonprofits, site visits occurred then discussions ensued regarding each request. Finally, the field was narrowed to three and a final vote was taken. The grant recipients listed below were presented with checks at the YAC annual dinner.
The process is eye-opening for many of the students, but the satisfaction felt from knowing their efforts have made a difference in the community makes it all worthwhile.
This year YAC supported:
Parenting Autism United: $5,500
United Way of Wyoming Valley: $4,500
NEPA Philharmonic: $4,000
Volunteers of America: $3,500
Think Big Pediatric Cancer Fund: $2,500
Since the 2013/14 school year, YAC has supported 36 organizations with grants totaling $147,775.
Visit Our YAC Dinner Sponsors:
2022/2023 YAC Kickoff Dinner
YAC Grantmaking Since Inception
Total Nonprofits Supported: 36
Total Grants and In-Kind Gifts: $147,775
2021-2022
| $5,500 | Parenting Autism United |
| $4,500 | United Way of Wyoming Valley |
| $4,000 | NEPA Philharmonic |
| $3,500 | Volunteers of America |
| $2,500 | Think Big Pediatric Cancer Fund |
2020-2021
| $5,000 | Domestic Violence Service Center – Playground Expansion |
| $5,000 | Catholic Youth Center – Taste and See Program |
| $5,000 | Catherine McAuley Center — Virtual Learning Supplies and Purchases |
| $1,000 | Camp Koala — Scholarships |
2019-2020
| $5,000 | The Wright Center for Community Health – Stratus Video Language App |
| $5,000 | The Family Service Association of NEPA ~ Help Line/211 Service |
| $5,000 | Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation — for the purchase of a drone to assist with watershed mapping |
2018-2019
| $5,500 | F.M. Kirby Center – Sensory Friendly Theater |
| $5,500 | PA Environment Council – Community Illegal Dumpsite Cleanup Program |
| $5,000 | Mom-n-Pa Dental – Dental Program June 7 & 8 at Mohegan Sun Arena |
2017-2018
| $5,000 | Family Service Association of NEPA |
| $5,000 | Camp Orchard Hill |
| $5,000 | The Hope Center of Wyoming Valley |
| $1,000 | Wyoming Valley Catholic Youth Center |
2016-2017
| $5,000 | Helping Hands Society, Bringing the Outside In |
| $5,000 | McGlynn Center, Weekend Program |
| $5,000 | Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, The Community Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program |
| $1,000 | St. Joseph’s Center, medical equipment for Luzerne County Intermediate Care |
| $775 | CASA of Luzerne County, Resource Library: Special gift of games/toys |
2015-2016
| $5,000 | Hazleton Integration Project, After School Scholarship Program |
| $5,000 | Wyoming Valley Children’s Association, SPOT On Preschool Camp |
| $3,500 | YMCA of Wilkes-Barre, Tasty Thursday Program |
| $2,500 | Women’s Resource Center, Safe Housing Program |
2014-2015
| $5,000 | Children’s Service Center, Music Intervention |
| $5,000 | Ruth’s Place, Staff Expansion |
| $3,000 | Cori’s Place, Mind & Body |
| $3,000 | The United Way of Wyoming Valley, Success by 6 |
2013-2014
| $5,000 | CASA of Luzerne County, CASA Training Classes |
| $5,000 | Volunteers in Medicine, A Healthy Smile for a Healthy Start |
| $5,000 | Wyoming Valley Children’s Association, Multi-Sensory Room |
| $1,000 | Marlee’s Mission, Scholarships |
