Youth Leadership Grants Announced
It has been another successful year for the Youth Leadership Program to distribute small venture grants to community organizations in the valley area. Every year these grants are given to local organizations to help fund new and/or expanding programs that meet the needs of Valley teens. During the month of November, students actively assessed the needs of teens, sought proposals from community organizations and conducted in depth interviews with local agency representatives about the programs.
A total of 3,000 was available to allocate to programs this year. Students assessed that areas of critical concern for Valley teens included better sports programs, an increase in effective after school activities and additional services for teens at local community centers. The following programs were chosen by the Youth Leadership members because they addressed the needs of teens and were deemed to be worthwhile to the community.
Girls Scouts Connecticut Trails Council, Inc. was awarded $1,500.00 to launch their Studio 2-B program for girls ranging in age from 14-17 in the valley. This program is new and will be one of the first launched in the nation. One unique aspect of the program is that it is designed by girls for girls and includes components such as self reflection, travel and culture interests and enhancing writing skills. Ansonia High School will pilot the first program and it will be used as a model for Seymour High School once the first program is established.
The Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley was awarded $1,500.00 for their Saturday Night Live Basketball Program. On Saturday evenings from 6:00p.m.- 10:00p.m. teens will be able to play basketball through a structured league with referees and uniforms. Once teens are in the club, they are encouraged to become involved in educational, recreational and physical activities that are being sponsored at the center.
