The Fund for Santa Barbara’s Youth Making Change Announces $20,000 in Grants

YMC is made up of youth ages 13-19 that provide grants to youth-led projects addressing community issues and challenges directly affecting young people. YMC 2011-2012 consists of two YMC Boards: YMC North is based in the Santa Maria Valley and YMC South is based in southern Santa Barbara County, and each is provided with $10,000 to distribute in grants.

Both YMC Boards have recently made their grant decisions and invite the community to celebrate! The recipients of the YMC 2011-2012 grants are…

— YMC South —

Palabra / Sports Day – $929

Funding for youth to be involved sports that would be otherwise unavailable

Peer Buddy Volunteers / Peer Buddies – $1,680

Scholarships and program materials for special needs low-income youth to participate in PeerBuddies

Santa Barbara High School Ready2Move Club / 2nd Annual

Week of Wellness & Nourishing Nights of Food and Film – $1,500

A weeklong celebration of health and wellness for Santa Barbara High School students

Santa Barbara City College IDEAS / Alternative and Effective Pathways to Higher Education – $614

Workshops for SBCC AB 540 students on SBCC, higher education, and the admissions process

San Marcos High School Sergio’s Guitar Club – $1,877

Guitars and accessories for this San Marcos High School music club

UCSB Global Awareness Club / Global Awareness Program – $1,000

A workshop series on world communities, world culture fairs and student-to-student mentoring at local high schools and junior high schools

ySTRIVE for Youth, Inc. / Unity in Our Community – $2,400

A three-day, leadership, communication and community service retreat for 30 youth from Santa Barbara and Goleta neighborhoods

The YMC South Grant Awards Celebration takes place on Thursday, April 5th from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Antioch University – 602 Anacapa Street in Santa Barbara

— YMC North —

CE’ENI Santa Maria High School /

Youth and Community Empowerment through Education Project – $1,250

Funding to spread awareness of indigenous culture amongst Mixtec teens to understand and maintain their culture, keep traditions alive and build self-esteem

Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley Youth Involvement Group /

Respecting You, Respecting Me – $1,850

An all-day bullying and violence prevention event for junior high school students

Future Leaders of America / Take the Lead – $1,200

A leadership conference empowering underprivileged junior high school students to excel in high school and contribute to their community

Lompoc Youth Commission / Teen Dive-In Theater Pool Parties – $1,800

A program offering three pool parties for teens in the Lompoc Valley where they can have fun in a safe space and learn about job opportunities

Pioneer Valley High School Link Crew – $1,350

A year-long freshman orientation program where juniors and seniors help freshman transition into high school

PROUD People Respecting Others United by Diversity /

The Impact of Our Words – $1,050

A campaign to teach people the impact of hateful and insensitive speech including trainings and a video campaign

PUEBLO Santa Maria High School / Campus to Community Leadership – $1,500

A program that inspires students to get involved in the community, learn about college, register to vote, and talk to other students about how to stop racism and classism at school

The YMC North Grant Awards Celebration takes place on Thursday, April 12th from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Cafe Noir – 1555 South Broadway in Santa Maria.

Each Grant Awards Celebration will feature music, appetizers, and an opportunity to hear from the grant recipients. RSVP’s are requested. Grant Awards Celebrations are a time to honor the work of these youth-led groups and celebrate the work of Youth Making Change. For more information about YMC, the grant recipients or to RSVP for a Grant Awards Celebration please call 805-922-1707.

More information may also be found at www.fundforsantabarbara.org.