ICCF Youth Advisory Council (YAC)
What is YAC?
The Iosco County Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is a group of young people ages 12 to 21 from Iosco County. Working with adult advisors, these youth work to improve the lives of other children in the community through the allocation of grant money. By participating in the grant review meetings to decide how the grant money is disbursed, the YAC members actively learn about the unique needs of their communities, and how to provide for those needs. They also learn the importance of philanthropy and charitable giving - traits that will affect their lives long after they leave high school.Through this program, created by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, members learn how to meet the specific needs of their community, and it empowers them to make a real difference.
Youth Advisory Council Grants
Each year, the ICCF YAC awards grants to area projects and programs that benefit the youth of Iosco County. YAC members prepare throughout the year for their main task of determining where grant funding from the Iosco County Kellogg Youth Fund will go. The grant deadline is February 28.
Apply for ICCF Youth Advisory Council Grants
YAC News
Community Service
From grantmaking and community service to building philanthropy awareness, the Iosco County YAC has been busy helping their communities. Throughout the year, YAC participates in several community service projects including food packaging for Kids Against Hunger, visiting nursing homes, and selling National Philanthropy Day awareness ribbons at their schools.
Youth Leadership Conference
Each year, several YACers travel to Michigan State University in Lansing to attend the Summer Youth Leadership Institute, hosted by the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF). YACers participate in projects that focus around using grants and community service to issues in their communities, and learning how to use their own personal skills to build leadership for themselves and the areas where they live.
Grants
Grantmaking is at the heart of YAC's work. In 2011, ICCF YAC awarded seven grants totaling over $9,000 to support youth in their communities. 2011 grants are:
- $2,500 to MSU Extension - Iosco County for the 2011 4-H Shooting Sports Competition
- $1,800 to Whittemore-Prescott Area Schools for the Third Annual Appreciation Celebration
- $1,500 to Hale United Methodist Church to purchase violins for music students
- $1,000 to MSU Extension - Iosco County for the Iosco County Exceptional Equestrians
- $999 to Whittemore-Prescott Area Schools for the Whittemore-Prescott Food Pantry
- $730 to the Muscular Dystrophy Association for the 2011 MDA Summer Camp
- $500 to C.O.O.R. Intermediate School District for the Great Start Early Childhood Fund
Iosco County YAC Advisors
Kathy LaGrow (Whittemore-Prescott Area Schools)
Julie Decker (Tawas Area Schools)
Jordan Barclay (Hale Area Schools)
Interested in becoming a YAC member?
Young people from Iosco County who are interested in becoming a member of the Youth Advisory Council should contact 877-354-6881 or contact the advisor from their school.