By Kamryn Keating, Public Relations Co-Chair, Youth Community Fund
As the school year comes to a close, so does another great year of service for the Youth Community Fund. At its May 15th meeting, the YCF awarded $9,500 in grants to 4 youth-focused area nonprofits. Recipients included Backyard Sports Cares, Inc., Bronxville Ballet Not for Sale, Maxwell Institute, and South East Consortium for Special Services, Inc. All grant money was raised by the YCF student membership throughout the 2021-22 school year.
“Backyard Sports Cares is thrilled to be working with YCF,” said Steve Tseckares, Chief Operating Officer of Backyard Sports Cares. “Support from YCF is critical in helping us continue to provide sports and recreation at ECAP’s after-school and summer programs.”
Organized by The Community Fund of Bronxville Eastchester and Tuckahoe, the Youth Community Fund is a group of high school students who seek to positively impact the community by participating in community service events and raising money for nonprofit organizations.
This year, YCF dedicated a number of hours to community service work and projects, including the Bundles of Joy Joyful Closet, the YCF Thanksgiving Diaper Drive, the Town of Eastchester Winter Festival, the Village of Tuckahoe Creepy Candy Crawl, the SEC Prom and Honkey Tonk Hoedown, ECAP academic tutoring, Bronxville Ballet Not For Sale dance classes, Backyard Sports Cares clinics, and the Bronxville and Tuckahoe Police Department community barbeque, among others.
YCF also organized several fundraisers and events throughout the year, including a paddle tournament, the YCF Speakers Panel on Philanthropy and Social Impact, and multiple raffle ticket sales.
This spring, the YCF evaluations committee reviewed community grant applications and presented their findings to the rest of the Youth Community Fund. The members of the Youth Community Fund voted on where funds would be allocated.
YCF is currently accepting volunteer applications for 2022-23.
