Youth As Resources

Garth Freeman, Coordinator:  (585) 753-6456

Youth as Resources(YAR) is a community-based youth philanthropy and youth voice program, funded by the Rochester-Monroe County Youth Bureau and the Rochester Area Community Foundation. The YAR Board provides mini-grants to young people to design and implement civic engagement activities and service projects which target social problems, resolve community issues, and contribute to significant community improvement. YAR is governed by local youth and adults responsible for grant making.

When youth become involved in YAR, they begin to feel a sense of connection, civic responsibility, and self-worth as they see their own actions cause positive change.  A fundamental YAR philosophy is that youth can and do make a difference in meeting critical community and social needs on a variety of levels.

Through involvement in YAR, young peole have gained, and continue to gain confidence, leadership skills, and new insights about themselves, others, and the value of contributing to their communities.

The Youth As Resources (YAR) coordinator works side by side with the Youth Voice, One Vision Youth Council (formerly City/County Youth Council) to support their interest and directions.  The coordinator will meet with all known youth involvement/ participation/leadership groups in the county to identify their goals and activities and link them to opportunities for representation on Youth Voice, One Vision (YVOV) and training support through YVOV.  An interest list will be developed with youth that would like to be available to represent and share youth views for the following types of requests:

•     Radio, television and media requests
•     Community planning and task force representation
•     Panel discussions and editorial responses
•     Advocacy on pending legislative issues

Youth as Resources 2007-2008 School Year Grant Cycle

The Youth As Resources Board would like to congratulate and acknowledge the grant recipients for the 2007-2008 School Year Grant Cycle!

The following is a list of the 11 community groups and organizations will receive grants totaling $8,500 to conduct community service projects and programs that address a need in their given community:

Organization	Project
Brighton High School/Twelve Corners Middle School Mentors	Assets Come Alive
East Rochester Youth Activity Center	Senior Stocking Stuffers
Heritage Action/Miss Black Heritage Pageants	Me Time with Miss Black Heritage
Jefferson High School/MCTP	Mindz Eyes Public Service Announcements
Mary McLeod Bethune School #45	Black History Dinner
Mrs. Ferris’ 5th Period Class/S.O.T.A.	Exposed
Silence the Violence/North East College Preparatory School at the Frederick Douglas Campus
Puerto Rican Youth Development and Resource Center, Inc.	Make a Wish Christmas Blankets
Project Ready/Urban League of Rochester	Project Ready Youth Forum
Webster Avenue Community Center	Anti-Violence T-Shirt Give Away
Youth Voice One Vision Talk Show/RCTV-15	Lights, Camera, Activism!

Be on the lookout for these projects in the coming months!

Youth as Resources Summer 2008 Grant Cycle

Summer Grant Cycle Application

The deadline for applications for the YAR Summer Grant Cycle is Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Please contact Garth Freeman, YAR Coordinator to request an application packet at: 753-6456.

ALSO: Youth As Resources and Youth Voice One Vision will be hosting the 2008 Steppin' Up To Solutions Conference on Saturday, April 26,2008. This day of workshops and presentations by and for youth will help you plan your community project start to finish. YAR will be presenting a Grant Writing Workshop at the conference that will walk you through the application process. Extra points will be added to your YAR Grant Application if you attend this event!

If you would like to be added to our mailing list or have any questions regarding the upcoming grant cycle or the projects being conducted by our current grantees, please call our Coordinator, Garth Freeman at: 753-6456.