Youth Grantmaking Council Awards Grants

Scott County Youth Grantmaking Council President Ali Richey receives a certificate of appreciation from Council Facilitator Brandon Polley at the recent grants dinner. Richey was honored for her leadership to the Council, and as the outgoing president, received a $100 grant for her educational expenses at Miami University.

  The Scott County Youth Grantmaking Council awarded almost $4,500 in grants to youth-related projects in the community at a grants dinner held May 30 at LJ’s Banquet Hall.
   Austin High School was awarded $1,000 for “RACE – Reading Activities for Classroom Excellence.” Because of the literacy problems in the school and community, the program will focus on reading for pleasure and sharing books with others. Fifty members of the Austin High School Book Club will travel to a major bookstore to purchase self-selected books, followed by a Bistro Book Talk where they discuss and share their books.
   Austin Learning Center was awarded $960 for “Kids Take a Wander Through Wonder Valley.” Forty kids will experience a three-day camp at Wonder Valley to work on team-building activities and experience educational activities including visiting a pioneer site and doing some cave exploration. The result is to achieve survival skills, physical fitness awareness, community awareness and more.
   Austin Middle School was awarded $1,000 for “We Can Socialize.” Students with moderate mental disabilities in both school districts will participate in a community-based education program in which they visit area businesses and learn how to make purchases, ask for help, finding clothing to fit, care for clothing, and more. They will also eat lunch at local restaurants as a socializing experience.
   Pilot Club of Scott County was awarded $950 for “Brain Minders: Protecting the Brain for Life.” The goal of Pilot Club is to promote brain injury prevention, awareness and research to all people. A Brain Minders program will be presented to children at health fairs and kindergarten classrooms. Books will be presented to participants and bicycle helmets will be given randomly.
   Scottsburg High School was awarded $588 for a coffee shop/graphic design shop. An entrepreneur course will be offered and students will be taught the knowledge and tools to one day operate their own business. Eventually, a graphic design business and a coffee shop will be established. Funding from the Youth Council will assist towards the purchase of necessary technology.
   The Scott County Youth Grantmaking Council has had a productive year, establishing by-laws, a mission statement, designing their letterhead, and more. They have held a lollipop fundraiser at several schools to raise money for the matching grant through the Youth Philanthropy Initiative of Indiana. The fundraiser along with donations from individuals and local businesses has resulted in raising over $1,200 toward the goal of $10,000, which must be reached by September 30. Council members will also attend a youth leadership conference and the Children’s Museum in Indianapolis in July.
   Council members were introduced, as were the officers, committee chairs, members and duties. Outgoing President Ali Richey was honored for her contributions to the council by given a certificate of appreciation and a $100 grant toward educational expenses at Miami University, where she will attend this fall.