New Grant Program That Supports Youth-led Initiatives Is Now Available In Huron County
by Bob Montgomery
The County of Huron’s Economic Development Department is pleased to announce it's new Supporting Local Youth program, which offers grants up to $1,000 for youth-led initiatives and activities in Huron County.
Economic Development Director Vicki Lass says youth is one of county's priorities. The idea behind supporting youth is if youth are engaged in a meaningful way while they're in their home community, they're far more likely to stay, or return after college or living in the big city for a while. “We've also noticed that youth have fewer opportunities in rural areas to gather and to access venues together because of their age. It's harder for them to rent a venue and it's harder for them to organize an event. Success in youth projects comes from by youth – for youth, so this is an opportunity for youth to apply for dollars to do some kind of meaningful engagement with other youth that resonates with them.”
Eligible projects are youth-led and provide opportunities for Huron County youth between ages 14 and 19 in the following priority areas:
Social Cohesion
Community Connectedness
Creative Expression
Social Justice Issues
Climate Change and Sustainability
Mental Health
Financial Literacy and/or New Economic Activities
Lass says one of the focuses for the Economic Development Department is on youth being part of their communities active work force. “We need them in our communities. We don't just need them for work force, we need them for their ideas, we need them for their energy and their passion and their future-looking vision that they bring to our communities.”
Funding applications are due by 4:30 PM on November 22nd. Applications will be assessed and awarded on a merit basis. Projects are assessed by a review panel made up of representatives from Huron County’s Economic Development Board, Huron Arts & Heritage Network and community youth from the target demographic.
For more information about the Supporting Local Youth Program including eligibility criteria and an application form, please visit the Huron County website here or contact the Economic Development Department directly at 519-524-8394 ext 6.
