YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Our Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) was established in the 2000-2001 school year to allow area teens to learn the art of responsible philanthropy, to develop leadership skills, and to foster volunteerism. Every year the YAC goes though a team-building exercise weekend at Camp Jewell in Colebrook. During the rest of the semester they address needs deemed top priorities by their peers. Based on a review of received grant proposals, the YAC will make recommendations for grants to our board of directors and conduct follow-up evaluations on the effectiveness of funded programs.

Youth Advisory Committee Retreat, 2005 

Photo courtesy of Camp Jewell YMCA

The next YAC will be formed in early 2009. Each year's YAC group is comprised of 15 to 20 teens from high schools throughout our Foundation's 20-town service area in northwest Connecticut. Grants awarded by the YAC come from the Foundation's Youth Fund. Contributions to the fund or to the program are always welcome.

The YAC is available for speaking engagements and volunteer opportunities. Check back in early 2009 for more information, including details on how to apply to become a YAC member.

Youth Fund Grant Applications

Each winter, the YAC sends out an RFP (request for proposals) to organizations that serve youth in our twenty-town service area. The YAC then presents one or more of the submitted proposals for consideration by the Foundation’s board of directors. In recent years, the YAC has helped to award grants for mentoring programs, smoking-deterrent programs, and programs supporting foster children. If you would like your organization to be added to the mailing list to receive an annual application for the YAC grants, please contact the Foundation at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it