Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation
Inspiring a Lifetime Ethic of Service
Research shows that young people who participate in community service experience greater academic success, have higher self-esteem, and acquire a lifelong commitment to philanthropy. Those facts were instrumental in the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation’s efforts to launch a local affiliate of the Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) - a program that engages youth ages 11 - 17 in service learning projects that meet the needs of the community, promote diversity, and inspire a lifetime ethic of service.
In 1994, in response to a request for proposal, AAACF’s Youth Council and its Board of Trustees awarded a four-year $120,000 grant to the Ann Arbor YMCA to run a local Youth Volunteers Corps program. Since then, an additional $50,000 in grant support from AAACF has helped the YMCA sustain the program.
It’s been a successful community partnership. Over 1,800 young volunteers have provided 100,000+ hours of service to more than 100 local nonprofit agencies across Washtenaw County. YMCA President & CEO Cathi Duchon notes: "YVC has been a great fit for the Y – as the program embodies all three parts of our mission: youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. YVC gives young people an opportunity to think beyond themselves – to learn about community needs and help make a difference."
One of the many ways the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation supports all that is good in our community.
Read more "good" stories at:
aaacf.org/stories
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