Each year Children International gives its youth approximately $300,000 to spend on community improvement and outreach projects. Divided among our international agencies and our program in the United States, this money – called the Youth Empowerment Fund – does more than bring great programming to communities in need: it helps transform teens from youth into leaders.
Go behind the scenes to see the impact Children International’s Youth Empowerment Fund has on young lives. See more.
One of the most unusual aspects of the fund is that democratically elected Youth Council leaders are responsible for selecting the projects to fund. They take the responsibility seriously: most Youth Councils survey or interview other children in the program, then use that input to determine what projects to select and their priority.
It’s a long process. After evaluating community needs, they must decide which projects will receive funding next year.
The negotiations can be intense, but that’s a wonderful thing. These debates illustrate the passion our youth have for improving their communities and their commitment to making a difference.
Once the projects are selected, youth must document and prepare a budget for each activity. This information is then sent to Children International’s Regional Program Coordinators and Natalie Foxworthy, our Education & Youth Development Program Officer, for review and feedback.
Since youth select the projects themselves, they are a good barometer for understanding their concerns. Environmental projects, frequently with some sort of volunteer work, are common.
Youth aren’t just concerned about mother nature, though. Many projects focus on community improvement like this project in Little Rock, Arkansas. With permission from local government, teens beautified a neglected park in their neighborhood.
While serious projects get a lot of attention, youth don’t dismiss the importance of some good fun. Not only do fun activities like concerts give their peers a safe place to meet, important anti-violence, personal responsibility and other character lessons are often incorporated into events.
Here’s what Susan from Honduras had to say about the importance of the Youth Empowerment Fund:
“Young people need to continue engaging in activities of this nature to achieve a just society and a sense of love and respect for the rights and lives of others, and likewise change their lives as mine has been changed and improved.”
