MCF NEWS ARCHIVES
4/12/05

The Initiative Foundation, Little Falls, is stepping up its efforts to give teens an opportunity to make a difference in their communities, thanks to a recent grant from the Emma B. Howe Memorial Foundation, a supporting organization of The Minneapolis Foundation.

The $150,000 grant will be used to expand the foundation’s Youth as Resources (YAR) program, which helps create teen-service boards that award small grants to youth-led volunteer projects. Projects have ranged from packaging care suitcases for foster children to organizing a materials drive for homeless shelters.

Chris Fastner, the foundation’s new youth development specialist, was hired to lead the expanding program. A former youth development and leadership training consultant, Fastner’s experience includes 15 years of youth service work at YMCA organizations in St. Paul and Brainerd.

"Young adults are often underestimated as leaders," said Fastner. "With YAR, we feel like we’re putting our money where our mouth is and giving them an opportunity to share their time, talents and imaginations to address issues that affect them. So far, they haven’t let us down."

Teen board members are entrusted with the responsibility of deciding how to make the most community impact with foundation start-up funds of about $15,000. They set priorities and budgets, review grant applications written by their peers, and decide whether projects are worthy of money that they help replenish through fundraising drives.

"I had no idea before becoming a part of the YAR board that a group of twelve people could make such a big difference in a community," said Emily Soldner, a high school senior and outgoing member of the St. Cloud Area Youth as Resources board. "In college, I hope that I will be able to continue to impact others through volunteerism."

YAR is a national program with local teen boards in 58 U.S. cities and in New Zealand. Each board is comprised of about 12 students and adult advisors. With investments of more than $326,000 since 1999, the Initiative Foundation brought the model to central Minnesota and helped launch programs in ten cities.

Central Minnesota YAR sites include Brainerd, Cambridge/Isanti, Little Falls, North Branch, Onamia/Isle, Pequot Lakes, Pine River/Backus, St. Cloud, Staples/Motley and Wadena. Many boards also serve their surrounding communities.

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