Mini Grants for Youth Engagement
In the past, YDTRC has provided this terrific opportunity for youth to take on leadership roles and for AYD grads to put their knowledge into action. We hope to provide this again in the very near future.
Advancing Youth Development Mini-Grants
Put your ideas into action! Youth and staff who team up together will be invited to apply for a Mini Grant of up to $1,000. Staff must have graduated from YDTRC's 30-hour training course, Advancing Youth Development, and must be ready to partner with youth to create lasting services, opportunities, and supports. Young people should be involved in all stages of program design, including planning, implementation, and evaluation. As the grand finale, youth-staff teams are expected to present their work at our annual Youth Presentation Mini Grant Showcase.
Underage Drinking
Prevention:
'Fostering Youth Leadership' Mini-Grants
YDTRC will support teams of youth leaders to initiate research and creatively express their views about underage drinking and alcohol abuse. Often, youth are taught about this issue in a ‘passive learning’ setting. These mini grants are designed to provide resources for groups of youth to actively learn and send positive messages to younger children or to their peer group. Funds will and youth-led “messaging” projects.
Types of Eligible Activities to Consider:
- Paint a Mural in your neighborhood
- Produce a Skit and Perform at your school or community center
- Hold a Forum on the issue and its consequences
- Meet with a group of young children (afterschool) or Plan a Workshop for your peers
- Assist YDTRC staff with a focus group on this critical issue
- Produce a Video or create new words to an old song
- Create a BLOG
- Identify Resources for helping other teens avoid alcohol
- Portray the issue in Creative Artwork for public display
- Create a tri-fold display board on issue and statistics
- Community awareness activity to reach parents and family members
- Advocate for new policies in your town or region
- Poetry Slam or a Street Banner or a Library Display
- Other ideas: Youth suggestions are welcome!
Funding:
Projects can receive either $300 or $600 depending on extent of the project activity and anticipated use of resources. Priority will be given to youth groups without access to significant program resources.
Youth – Adult Partnerships:
These mini grants will provide a way for young people to access resources, express their creativity, take a leadership role, and partner with adult resources and community agencies to tackle an issue that affects everyone in all communities. Reach out for folks, groups, businesses, funders that can enhance your project!
Review by a Youth-Adult Review Team:
Applications will be reviewed for their creative approach to “messaging” about this issue and its consequences and/or healthy alternatives to alcohol use and abuse.. Young people can focus on any of the above ideas or other ideas. We encourage collaboration with other folks that care about young people and their positive, healthy futures!
For more information on mini-grants:
To inquire about these and other mini grant opportunities, please contact LeShae Payton at 203-789-7645, ext. 147.
