Youth projects receive GenNext funding

NEWS/ YOUTH — Several southern Interior youth projects will receive funding from the GenNext volunteer group.

GenNext is a young professionals volunteer organization facilitated by United Way. In 2014 they raised more than $6,000 through fundraising events such as a sold-out Pop-up Picnic at Harper’s Trail Winery and their second annual Foot Golf Tournament, which they then invested into the Youth Initiative Grants (YIG).

The Youth Initiative Grants allow youth 25 and under to have the chance to receive a grant of up to $1,500 for their own youth-led community project.

Five members of GenNext, including young professionals working in the real estate, tourism, technology and non-profit industries in Kamloops, reviewed grant applications and made all granting decisions.

To learn more about GenNext visit their website at http://www.gennextkamloops.com or their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/gennext.kamloops. GenNext has set a fundraising goal of $10,000 for 2015.

Below is a list of 2015 Youth Initiative Grant recipients:

Aberdeen Elementary School – $1,481.59

Elementary-aged students at Aberdeen Elementary have listened to several local non-profits and decided that they too would like to give back. They will fill and distribute backpacks full of necessities to homeless Kamloops youth.

Boys and Girls Club of Williams Lake – $1,100.

A Boys and Girls Club event in Williams Lake this year will be planned and hosted by a youth leadership club. Their goal is to invite families and youth to celebrate and learn more about support services in their community. The youth are working hard to make the event barrier free for all to attend, and to engage more youth with interesting activities.

Youth Engagement in Clearwater – $1,200.

This Clearwater project engages youth in after-school activities including an arts workshop, a science program and a children’s reading/writing workshop. The youth involved in the planning have planned their workshops to reduce barriers of participation and encourage as many youth as possible to explore new, free activities.

Smart Steps Merritt – $1,100.00

This initiative provides groups of teenagers with the opportunity to positively be involved in their community by cleaning up graffiti, painting dumpsters, and hosting events in the City of Merritt. Through learning about community needs this group also will take-on a new project to them.

Volunteer Kamloops – $850.00

A small group of students, working with Volunteer Kamloops, will help organize and host a coloring contest for kids. They will attend many community events and promote the contest widely. Their goal is to engage families and encourage them to volunteer in the community.