United Way of Lake County’s Youth United Way Students Allocate $5,000 in Grants
Mentor, OH (May 3, 2023) – After a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19, United Way of Lake County’s (UWLC) Youth United Way (YUW) program was held this past February through April 2023 culminating in the awarding of $5,000 in grants to local non-profits by the students.
YUW is an annual youth directed initiative run by UWLC’s Emerging Leaders, who work to instill positive behaviors among Lake County’s youth to create tomorrow’s leaders.
Seventeen students, grades 9 through 12, graduated from this year’s class. The students were from Beaumont School, Hawken Upper School, Lake Catholic High School, Madison High School, Mentor High School, Perry High School, Riverside High School, Wickliffe High School, and Willoughby South High School.
Beginning on February 9, 2023 and consisting of five two-hour strategic evaluation sessions, held mostly every other Sunday, YUW’s objective included teaching students to develop and nurture leadership skills through teamwork, problem solving, and concession. During the length of the program, students also visited local nonprofit agencies where they learned about the services they provide and the clients each serve.
“The nonprofit site visits were eye-opening, especially the amount of funds each needs to help those in need,” said Riverside High School sophomore Sydney Hatcher. “I recommend YUW to other students and would actually love to attend the program again next year.”
Beaumont School Sophomore Karina Hovey shared her enthusiasm for the program based on the positive impact the students were able to make through the grant process. “I gained deeper insight into the challenges thousands of individuals face every day,” she said.
On their final day of class, the students of YUW were tasked with making the difficult decision of who to award grants to and the dollar amount each would receive as part of the program’s mission. The below funds were allocated by the students:
- Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, Counseling Services $2,000
- Forbes House, Update the Teen Room $1,000
- Lake County Free Clinic, Medical Care $2,000
According to UWLC’s Emerging Leaders chair Kerry Jonke, “I love the sense of community our students experience and the takeaway they have knowing the impact they’ve made among those in need upon graduation.”