By Eliza Brennan, Bronxville School Junior
Despite these trying times, local teens are still doing their part to give back to the community through the Youth Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe (YCF).
Founded last year, YCF is an offshoot of The Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe, which has served the community since 1919. Like its parent group, YCF supports local nonprofits and community programs focusing on youth.
The group consists of teen volunteers who reside in Bronxville, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe. Members are split up into 4 separate teams: the volunteer team, the leadership team, the evaluation committee, and the advisory board.
The volunteer team serves the community directly by volunteering for several causes in the area, while the other three teams work behind the scenes, coordinating events, fundraising, and allocating grant money.
As of September 2020, within a year of YCF’s founding, more than 100 dedicated teens have joined the group, and the number of volunteers continues to grow. The number of volunteers allows YCF to make a real difference in the community.
This year started with a bang for the volunteer team. YCF members have been busy tutoring local students through the after-school program run by ECAP. YCF has also been working with Bundles of Joy, an organization that helps parents and babies in need. Additionally, YCF members have spent time with children from the Andrus School in Yonkers, delivered food to homebound seniors, and packed bags for a local food pantry.
Many new, socially-distant projects are also in the works for YCF. Members of the leadership and advisory teams are hoping to create events similar to last year’s “3 on 3” basketball tournament and “Santa’s Stop” to raise funds for this year’s grants.
