Youth Committee Considers Student Programs

Youth Advisory Committee members talked about fall grant ideas that will impact Island youth during a meeting Tuesday, November 8. The YAC is a program of the Mackinac Island Community Foundation that instills in youth a sense of community service, leadership, and philanthropy. Members review and decide on grants made from their own endowment, and plan projects that will benefit the Island’s younger generation.

“I think that we have some very talented youth on this Island,” said Jennifer Bloswick, director of the Mackinac Island Community Foundation. “I’m excited by what they’ve already done and for what they can accomplish.”

The YAC has $10,000 available each year for grants from an endowment that totals $293,000. They distribute funds in spring and fall.

The committee’s advisor is Karen Allen, who teaches language arts and social studies to fourth through seventh grade students at Mackinac Island Public School.

Last spring, the students helped fund the purchase of a child-safe horse to be used to teach Island children to ride. The funding went to the Horsemen’s Association and the 4-H Club. Students also helped fund the school’s Metronome program, which is a computer-based program that helps students with learning difficulties. The Island Brownie Troop received funding to send the troop to Great Wolf Lodge for scouting week.