Youth Making Change

Empowering Teens to Serve Others

By Erica Rascón on Feb 19, 2016 in Giving, People

Youth Making Change (YMC), a Fund for Santa Barbara program, empowers teens to create positive programs for their communities. A board of teen reviewers evaluates grant proposals submitted by fellow youth in the community. A total of $30,000 in grants is awarded each year to  projects that can help local youth thrive.

The innovative organization recently received the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Santa Barbara and Ventura County Youth Philanthropists of the Year award. Yardi caught up with Cristina González, Regional Program Manager and YMC coordinator at the Fund, to celebrate the nonprofit’s success.

“To be selected by our philanthropic peers and the community is a wonderful acknowledgment of the impact YMC teens are making throughout Santa Barbara County, both as grant-makers and grant recipients,” González says.

The honor is deserved. Since 2008, YMC has awarded $157,500 to 90 youth-led groups throughout Santa Barbara County. The focus of each project varies, from scholarships for AP testing to environmental awareness workshops in low-income neighborhoods. For González, one particular project demonstrates the creativity and heart behind teen-led initiatives.

While speaking at a support group for homeless and foster youth, González encouraged a few young attendees to pursue an idea that they had considered. Their plan for a teen-based support group for younger homeless and foster kids seemed like an activity that YMC could support.

The teens would create welcome baskets for each new child who arrived at the shelter. With the support of their adviser, the teens would also host regular gatherings with the younger kids. The group could discuss what was happening in their lives, provide support and engage in fun learning activities while at the shelter.

“In their interview, they shared that children look up to teens much more than adults sometimes,” begins González. “Young people stay quiet about being homeless or in foster care because they are embarrassed or afraid people will make fun of them. The teens felt they could be positive role models for the younger children at the shelter and help them cope with the difficult situation they were living through because they were living through it, too.”

The group applied for the grant and received $2,000 from YMC to make their idea a reality. González was overjoyed to receive updates from the group as well as pictures of the welcome baskets that the teens created.

“Not only did the grant make a large impact on the homeless children that the teens mentored but the process made an impact on the teens leading the project and participating as mentors,” explains González.

During the interview process, the teens were so nervous that they could barely speak. Yet at the grant reception, they had transformed before González’s eyes. “It was inspiring to see them on stage, accepting the grant and speaking–without freezing midway–about the importance of supporting homeless youth and the need to address the bigger issue of homelessness in the community. I still get goosebumps. The YMC process helped the teens see their ability to make a difference in the real issues that impact them and gave them a grant to make it happen.”

Each year, YMC continues to empower youth to help one another. Contributions from Yardi propel YMC forward. Yardi supports all YMC activities including teen facilitator and board trainings, meetings, stipends for board members, as well as the grants given to youth-led groups.

González explains, “We have been able to develop a strong training program to equip teen facilitators with the tools to lead the YMC boards through the grant-making process. YMC is truly youth driven. As a key supporter, Yardi has helped YMC empower over 260 teens to become grant-makers, impacting thousands of youth all over Santa Barbara County.”

Join Yardi in supporting Youth Making Change. Consider making a donation to insure the longevity and expansion of the program. You can also support YMC by supporting local initiatives that enable youth to be leaders and decision-makers.

“Who better to tell us how young people are impacted by social problems and how to solve them, than youth themselves,” says González.