The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) is an award-winning youth to youth philanthropy program of the Homer Foundation. After a break due to the effects of COVID-19 protocols, we relaunched this great program at Homer High School. Previously, former Homer Foundation Board member Bonnie Jason did an amazing job growing and cultivating this program at the middle school. This year Executive Assistant, Lauren Seaton (herself a former educator) coordinated the program. Homer High School leadership and staff were very supportive of this program in their space and participants not only learned about how philanthropy addresses community needs, but they also earned community service hours for participating.
Funding: Funding for this year’s YAC grants was at an all-time high of $10,000. Those funds come from a combination of the Foundation’s Opportunity Fund, other existing endowed Foundation funds, such as Ashley Logan Fund, Sheldon Youth to Youth Fund, David and Mary Schroer Fund, and donors who have a passion for developing a philanthropic mindset in young people. We are deeply thankful to those donors who make the YAC grants possible.
Youth Lead/Youth Centric: The YAC has a strong youth voice philosophy and determines its own program goals for its grant cycle. The group decided not to be project-specific as in the past, instead of supporting programs in the 12-18-year-old range whether they be new or ongoing. When reviewing the applications, the students reflected upon their desired values of supporting diversity, increasing reach for organizations, and supporting organizations outside of Homer.
Awardees: This year the following awards were recommended by the YAC:
Bunnell Street Arts Center- $500
Homer Council on the Arts- $2,000
Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic (the Rec Room)- $2,000
Kachemak Bay Running Club- $1,500
Kachemak Nordic Ski Club- $1,000
Ninilchik Saturday Lunch Program- $1,500
South Peninsula Behavioral Health Services- $1,500
Total - $10,000
Thanks to the 2022 YAC members(in order of picture): Lliam Boss-Harmon, Ainsley Boss-Harmon, Thea Person, and Taylor Stepp (not pictured). A special thank you to a staff member, Mrs. Lisa Fellows, and the HHS leadership team. We look forward to more youth philanthropy at Homer High School! ... See more