The Legacy Youth Alliance, the newest grant program supported by the Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation, is pleased to announce the recipients of their first grant cycle. Sixteen high school representatives from Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, Cardinal, Ottumwa and Pekin school districts determined which grant requests would receive funds. According to Maggie Voyles, a junior at Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont High School, “the [Legacy Youth Alliance] members chose their funding priorities of early childhood, secondary and post-secondary education, and the physical, mental and social health of youth because these are the issues that we see youth facing daily and we are passionate about changing”. The following nonprofit programs were awarded:
- AMP- Achieving Maximum Potential– programming through American Home Finding Association that works with Wapello County youth that are in an out-of-home placement.
- Bulldog Action Community Involvement– a youth-led group from the Ottumwa Accelerated Career Academy will host a series of events designed to strengthen the relationship between participating youth and a significant adult in their life.
- iJAG– a program through the Ottumwa High School that works with At-Risk youth to overcome their barriers to graduation and assists in preparing them for post-secondary education.
- Latinas Latinos al Éxito Inc. – a program that engages with Latino students and assists them with the preparation of a solid college plan or career path.
The Legacy Youth Alliance will offer two grant funding cycles per calendar year. Any 501(c) 3 Not-for-Profit that is youth-serving or supports a youth-led project may seek funding up to $2,500 through the Legacy Youth Alliance. Zoey Wright, a junior from Pekin High School feels that being part of the Legacy Youth Alliance “is a way to get more involved and help issues we feel strongly about. Usually adults handle large issues in the community but if teens can start to get more involved they can make an impact on youth in the community.” The next competitive grant cycle opens February 1, 2018.
