August 1, 2007

Youth Commit To Giving and Serving

Youth Commit to Giving and Serving
2007 YP Jam Educates and Motivates Young Philanthropists

You Tube is a hit with youth, and the internet media site became a connector for youth and their mentors attending the 2007 Youth Philanthropy Jam. You Too Make A Difference was the theme for an exciting youth/adult conference sponsored by the Youth Philanthropy Initiative of Indiana (YPII). The annual two-day conference was held at Franklin College on July 12-13. Skills were learned through a variety of workshops led by national and local speakers. Topics included the role philanthropy can play in addressing community needs, choosing a career and developing leadership skills. Youth and their adults also discussed how to use community service as a meaningful teambuilding experience that promotes diversity and tolerance.

Engaging youth in community service was also a part of the event. The Boys and Girls Club in Franklin, Indiana provided the perfect place for YP Jam participants to connect with children for special projects during a session of volunteer work. Youth also brought books for the Club and donated money toward one of their projects. To encourage a lifelong commitment to helping others, grant funds were awarded to select groups of youth that shared their community's most outstanding service activity. Anna Scally, a national presenter and President of Cornerstone Media, Inc. was the keynote speaker.

"The Youth Philanthropy Initiative of Indiana hosts the YP Jam to help youth define what it means to be an active citizen engaged in giving and serving," said Eileen Ryan, program director of YPII. "The skills, relationships and knowledge built at the Jam impact social change when youth utilize them in their local communities."

Two students represented Greene County at the YP Jam. Samantha Edwards and Jodi Byers were sponsored by the Greene County Foundation's youth philanthropy program. "Youth engagement is critical to making Greene County a viable community for the future," said organizer Marcy Heshelman. "We need to provide the leadership training and opportunities for our young people to be involved and make a difference." The Foundation will be gearing up its next youth philanthropy activity in late August as local students head back to school.

Both participants were very thankful for the opportunity. "I learned a ton and met lots of great people," Byers said.

YPII is a statewide network of over 40 organizations, including the Greene County Foundation, with the common goal of engaging youth in giving and serving. It seeks to grow lifelong philanthropists who give their time, talent and treasure for the common good. By promoting, supporting and sustaining youth philanthropy, YPII strives to ensure that all young people are aware, educated and actively involved in philanthropy within their local communities.

The Greene County Foundation (GCF) is a community foundation created in 1998 for the promotion of philanthropy in Greene County. GCF is the primary source for charitable funding and philanthropic donor services in the Greene County community. Local charities and scholars have benefited from over $9 million in grants as well as enhancements through various community projects. GCF core values include: stewardship, accountability, leadership, credibility, community and philanthropy.