The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is comprised of area students and are a vital part of our affiliate partner foundations with each member giving of their time, gifts and talents. YAC members are active in grant making, fund development and also contribute to the improvement of their communities through participation in various service projects.

How the Youth Advisory Council got it’s start in Michigan

In the 1990′s, community foundations in Michigan and their affiliate funds participated in a Kellogg Foundation Youth Challenge as part of the Michigan Community Foundations; Youth Project. They received more than $47.6 million to create 86 permanently endowed youth funds, matched by more than $100 million in gifts raised locally for unrestricted and field of interest funds.

As a condition of the challenge, each of those funds was to be overseen by a Youth Advisory Council (YAC) involving more than 1500 young people as members of YACS throughout Michigan.

Roscommon County Community Foundation participated in the Kellogg Foundation Youth Challenge, launching its Youth Advisory Council in 1997, along with four other counties in the area. Since inception, the RCCF YAC has recommended about $90,000 in grants supporting youth projects and programs throughout our county.

The role of the YAC is:

to make grant recommendations based on local youth needs and priorities, using income from the Kellogg Youth Fund
to advocate for “youth as resources” through community service projects.

Youth as Grant Makers in Roscommon County

In the Fall of 2010, the YAC awarded the following grants:

SLS/SADD – Free Fridays @ Artesia Youth Park – $500
Houghton Lake Community Schools – Lab Quest and Probes for the Physics and Chemistry labs – $616
Houghton Lake Community Schools – Choir Polo Shirts – $616
St. Michael’s Catholic Church – Hygiene kits for distribution through St. Vincent de Paul, Roscommon – $1000
Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Prudenville – Diapers for Diaper Bank – $500
Roscommon County Literacy Council – Comprehension Skills Books – $100
Friends Helping Friends – Supplies for Kids Helping Kids party for foster children – $300

Youth Advisory Council Job Description

We are looking for 8th through 12th graders who have exhibited the potential to be leaders and who have an interest in representing the youth in their community. Listed below are some of the qualities a candidate should exhibit:

  • A commitment of one year of your time and attend regularly scheduled meetings
  • An ability to learn about youth needs and assets in your community
  • An ability to make decisions about granting funds to youth projects
  • Working with adults and showing adults that youth are a community resource
  • Involvement in community service
  • Openness to opportunities for personal growth – thinking about your role as a leader now and forever
  • Making a difference in your community

How can I get more info or apply for membership?

We are always looking for new members who have the time to participate on the Council! We meet once a month during the school year.

For information on how to apply for membership on the Youth Advisory Council, contact Houghton Lake High School’s advisor, Mrs. Kelly Baker in Room 158, Mrs. Jane Kilbourn and Mrs. Kathy Durbin at Roscommon High School, Mrs. Jodi Blanchard from the Second Chance Academy or Mr. Bill Henry of Houghton Lake Community Education.

If they are not available you may call Mary T. Fry at the Roscommon County Community Foundation at (989)-275-3112 with your questions or fill out our contact form.

YAC News

YAC advisors from all four YAC school groups have had individual meetings with the YAC Coordinator, Roberta Friday to discuss plans for the rest of the school year. There will be meetings in February, March, April and May. As soon as the dates have been determined they will be posted on our Facebook page and Website. YAC will have a busy schedule for the rest of the year.

One thing that YAC will be participating in is the Global Youth Service Day from April 20-22, 2012 which is part of Youth Service America. The YAC will be sponsoring a Food Truck for people in Roscommon County who need help with food, on April 21, 2012. On Friday, April 20, 2012 the YAC students will be packing the bags for the Saturday giveaway. On Saturday, April 21, 2012 they will be helping the clients through the line and carry their food to their vehicles. The YAC has already recommended that the Food Truck be paid for with a grant from Roscommon County Kellogg Youth Fund and it was approved by the RCCF Board.
The time and place of the Food Truck will be posted at a later date.

YAC members are now forming a committee to write and submit a grant request to the Disney Friends for Change Grants to possibly give another $1000.00 for the purchase of more items to be given out at the Food Truck event. This grant is only for projects that will be taking place on the Global Youth Service Weekend.