Who We Are And Our Experiences
The Youth Grant Committee (YGC) is comprised of public, private and home-schooled high school students from the greater Grand Rapids area. During the school year, members meet and assess youth issues, develop a request for proposals process to address those needs, follow up with previous grantees, conduct interviews and site visits and present grant recommendations to the Foundation's Board of Trustees.
Click here to apply for membership
Click here to see photos from the 2007 Youth Grant Committee Celebration Dinner
Click here to see photos from the 2007 Youth Grant Committee Press Conference
2006-07 Grand Rapids Community Foundation Youth Grant Committee Members
- Mr. Jeffrey L. Agnew, Central High School
- Ms. Tiffany A. Boorsma, West Catholic High School
- Ms. Torie Brewton, Grand Rapids Christian High
- Mr. Alex Brown, Lowell High School
- Ms. Grace Davis, East Kentwood HS
- Mr. David G. DeStigter, Grand Rapids Christian High School
- Ms. Allison Endres, Forest Hills Eastern High School
- Ms. Tamera Featherson, Grand Rapids Christian High School
- Ms. Grace B. Feenstra, Grand Rapids Christian High School
- Mr. R.J. Ferrell-Tillman, Catholic Central High School
- Ms. Kyrstan Forseman, East Kentwood High School
- Ms. Jamie Forte, Forest Hills Northern High
- Ms. Kierstdea Furey, City High School
- Mr. Marcel C. Gamble, Kelloggsville High School
- Mr. Matt Gammans, Northview High School
- Ms. Tabitha Haight, City High School
- Mr. Brandon J. Hughes, East Grand Rapids High School
- Ms. Margaret Kennedy, Catholic Central HS
- Mr. Tom Kennedy, Catholic Central High School
- Mr. Don Madison, Godwin Heights High School
- Mr. Justin Malcolm, Northview High School
- Ms. Rebecca Mohney, City High School
- Mr. Chris Nienhaus, Grand Rapids Catholic High School
- Ms. Jessica Nienhaus, Catholic Central HS
- Ms. Kathryn Nowicki, West Catholic High School
- Ms. Jasmine J. Parks, East Kentwood High School
- Ms. Heather Ritzema, Homeschool
- Ms. Jenna Rood, West Catholic High School
- Ms. Aqueelah Seifullah, City High
- Mr. Luis Torres, Central High School
- Mr. Sam Wohns, East Grand Rapids High School
- Mr. Charlie Wondergem, East Grand Rapids High School
- Ms. Taylor Wondergem, West Catholic HS
- Cris Kooyer, Foundation Staff Advisor
What we have to say about YGC
- “I enjoyed the orientation day and meeting everyone.” -Mark Ayers
- “I like the icebreakers we have.” - Talisha Sutton
- “I liked learning the whole grantmaking process.” - Ryan Ritzema
- “I really enjoyed working with different types of people with different backgrounds.” - Jamie Forte
- “Arguing over some of the proposals was fun.” -Mark Ayers
- “It is a fun place to meet new people while helping the community.” - Jesus DelaCruz
Belonging to the YGC is good for students and GREAT for the community!
Youth Grant Committee members benefit by:
- Participating in a real-life leadership experience in which decisions are made that have a real impact.
- Learning about the needs of youth in the community by conducting a survey every two years.
- Understanding the role of nonprofit organizations in the community by reviewing grant requests.
- Gaining decision-making skills and how to work as part of a diverse group.
- Appreciating the value of service to the community.
- Making many new friends who attend different schools and have backgrounds.
The community benefits by:
- Receiving funding for programs that benefit youth and appeal to youth.
- Observing young people working for positive change in the community.
- Hearing a youth voice as YGC members share their insight at local conferences and on advisory committees.
- Discovering youth opinions through the biannual survey conducted by the YGC.
- Utilizing knowledgeable young volunteers who have an understanding of community issues and who are well-prepared to take on leadership positions as adults.
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