The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is thrilled to announce it has recruited its largest cohort ever – 43 students representing 12 different high schools across the Fox Valley – who are volunteering their time and talent this year in the Foundation’s Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program.
The Community Foundation’s YEP program was founded in 2019 to help local high school students explore and learn more about fundraising, grantmaking, and making a difference in the community.
Now in its fifth year, YEP brings high school students together from throughout the Fox Valley, who volunteer over the course of the school year to raise $25,000 in funds, and then use those funds to award grants to local social service agencies providing support to Fox Valley youth in need.
The YEP 2023-24 grant application is now open. Fox Valley youth service agencies are encouraged to apply online at cffrv.org/yep-grantmaking-program/. The application deadline is February 1, 2024.
Once submissions are received, YEP members will review grant applications, and hold meetings to reach a consensus on how to allocate the $25,000 in grants to local non-profits to create the greatest impact for youth-related causes in the Fox River Valley area. Each grant ranges from $500 to $5,000, and will work to address a key area of need in the community, including food insecurity, mental health and the environment.
Through YEP, students learn decision-making skills, the importance of community needs, conflict resolution, leadership and planning skills, fundraising skills, advocacy and cultivating relationships.
In addition to gaining real-world experience in the grant process, YEP students are also given opportunities throughout the year to meet, network and learn from area non-profit leaders. They also participate in a variety of hands-on volunteer service projects.
For example, on November 29, YEP members helped Mutual Ground organize donations and set up their space for the Winter Wonderland Client Shoppe. This event provides clients and their families with gifts for the holidays, serving over 100 families and over 300 children.
YEP members fundraise throughout the year to support local social service agencies with grants that assist local youth in need. Residents who are interested in supporting this program can visit cffrv.org/yep to donate.
“Giving to the YEP program creates a positive ripple effect in the community,” says Jen Borgognoni, Director of Grantmaking, Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley. “It empowers high school students to learn and grow and become leaders. It gives back to the community through grant making and service. And it inspires young people to become future philanthropists and continue to do good in their community. We are really creating the future generation of philanthropists.”
YEP alum Gabriel Escobedo, from Aurora, a graduate of West Aurora High School, currently a freshman at Yale University agrees. “I would say YEP has thoroughly changed me. Starting young and having people my age doing philanthropy, you instill the idea of community and helping others that’s sometimes lost. I’ve definitely thought about myself and my place in the community and what more I can do to help others thanks to the YEP program.”
Here’s the list of 43 students representing 12 Fox Valley high schools who are part of the Community Foundation’s 2023-24 YEP program: Rameen Aman, Oswego, senior, Oswego East High School; Jaden Baseke, Yorkville, junior, Yorkville High School; Eeshana Bhuvanesh, Aurora, senior, Oswego East High School; Leah Borgognoni, Montgomery, junior, Yorkville High School; Layla Brisbon, Oswego, sophomore, Oswego East High School; Ava Bugdalski, St. Charles, senior, St. Charles East High School; Jack Christoffel, Aurora, sophomore, Marmion Academy; James Conley, Oswego, sophomore, Oswego East High School; Caroline Escobedo, Aurora, sophomore, West Aurora High School; Lillian Feinberg, Aurora, junior, Rosary High School; Gianna German, Oswego, senior, Rosary High School; Abigail (Abby) Goddard, North Aurora, junior, West Aurora High School; Yaretzi Guerrero, Aurora, senior, West Aurora High School; Jarely Guzman, Aurora, junior, East Aurora High School; Katelin Hong, Oswego, senior, Oswego East High School; Logan Hong, Oswego, sophomore, Oswego East High School; Caitlin Keith, Yorkville, junior, Yorkville High School; Regan Konen, Sugar Grove, junior, Marmion Academy; Nalani Lopez, Oswego, senior, Oswego East High School; Kevin Martinez, Montgomery, junior, East Aurora High School; Brooklynne Martynus, Aurora, junior, Oswego East High School; Nathan Michels, Aurora, sophomore, Aurora Central Catholic High School; Alexander Ochoa, Aurora, sophomore, Waubonsie Valley High School; Ayden Ochoa, Aurora, sophomore, Waubonsie Valley High School; Brian Ochoa, Aurora, junior, Waubonsie Valley High School; Jenny Osei-Kofi, Aurora, senior, Oswego East High School; Soha Osman, Aurora, junior, Oswego East High School; Aaron Perrault, Batavia, senior, Batavia High School; Dorothy Pike, Aurora, senior, East Aurora High School; Madi Porter, Aurora, junior, Oswego East High School; Megan (Meg) Puntney, Aurora, senior, Oswego East High School; Natalie Raabe, Oswego, senior, Oswego High School; Jocelin Ramos, Aurora, senior, East Aurora High School; Alexandria (Alex) Sambucetti, Aurora, junior, West Aurora High School; Giovanni Sambucetti, Aurora, freshman, West Aurora High School; Tatum Smith, St. Charles, senior, St. Charles East; Macie Spenny, North Aurora, freshman, West Aurora High School; Nicklas Stefanik, Elburn, senior, Kaneland High School; Jack Swiatek, Aurora, sophomore, Aurora Central Catholic High School; Chloe Turucz, Plainfield, Oswego East High School; Ryan Vagnoni, Aurora, senior, Aurora Central Catholic High School; Vennela Reddy Vakati, Aurora, senior, Oswego East High School; and, Kaeli Wolford, Aurora, junior, Oswego East High School.
The application to become a YEP member for the 2024-25 will become available on February 1. Visit cffrv.org to apply.
— Jay Kelly PR