Since 1990, Valley United Way Youth Leadership members have distributed small, venture grants to community organizations in the Valley. These grants are aimed at helping to fund new and/or expanding programs that serve the needs of Valley youth. On Feb. 12, 30 members of the program reviewed Request for Proposals applications and determined which requests were granted.
This year, $2,000 was available to allocate to programs they felt most worthwhile and met the needs of Youth in the community determined by their annual needs assessment. The following areas were identified as of critical concern to teens in the Valley: drugs and alcohol, bullying, texting and driving, drugs, alcohol, teen violence, the arts, stress, mentors and after school activities.
The Youth Leadership members approved the following programs to receive venture grant funding:
*Seymour High School, will receive $375.00 for their “Take a Stand” program – a day long presentation for the Seymour/ Oxford junior class students to participate in. The program creates awareness about the responsibility of driving and the consequences when mixing drugs/alcohol and driving. Students participate in group lectures, discussion, hands on activities with several outside agencies and witness several mock mass casualty multi-vehicle extrication.
*Shelton Youth Service Bureau – “Youth 2 Youth Peer Advocates” will receive $400 to connect younger youth with older youth in the Valley community. These funds will create a Big Brother- Big Sister mentoring program. They plan to utilize high school youth (Peer Advocates) to mentor the young children after school. The Peer Advocates will volunteer their time to enrich children’s lives with fun activities, arts and crafts, educational field trips and an ear to listen.
*BHCare, Inc – “ Center for Domestic Violence Services” (formerly the Umbrella) will receive $350 to engage in art therapy group projects. The children will play familiar games with the staff member with specialized training. Children who will participate have come to the safe house and are usually taken suddenly out of their home. They are overwhelmed and fearful of what is in their future. Children who witness violence at home display emotional behavioral disturbances as diverse as withdrawal, low self-esteem, nightmares, self-blame and aggression against their peers they witness domestic violence. The primary objective of the project is to reduce fear and anxiety, maintain a safe environment, and learn effective coping skills.
*City of Ansonia – “Ansonia Teen Leadership Program” will receive $500 to conduct a 20-week program that will meet once a week and focus on helping teens with many life-skills from medial relations and understanding state and local government to enhancing self-image and appreciating diversity. The program will help teens become actively involved in their respective towns by having them be a part of improving their neighborhoods and schools. This will, in effect, provide them with the skills they need to lead productive and successful lives.
*Shelton Youth Service Bureau – “Valley Pre-Prom Event” will receive $375 to run a program for Valley junior/senior students and their parents pertaining to the dangers and consequences of underage driving and social hosting. Parents along with their teens will listen to guest speakers talk about their life experience, medial implications and the dangers of drunken and impaired driving.
Information in this post was provided by Patricia Tarasovic, who runs the Valley United Way Youth
Leadership Program.
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