Four County Community Foundation Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) members lent a hand at a 2018 backpack giveaway at Capac Elementary School—one of many service projects YAC members have performed over the last 30 years. Former YAC members are invited to reconnect with the Foundation and make plans to attend a May reunion in Almont.
For more than three decades, local youth have made an impact in their communities as members of Four County Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). To celebrate the legacy of philanthropy that group has built, current and former YAC members are being invited to gather for a YAC Reunion later this year.
In the weeks and months leading up to the reunion, Foundation staff and alumni organizers are hoping to connect with former YAC members, get updated contact information for them and make a personal invitation for the gathering that’s slated for Saturday, May 13, at Blake’s Backyard in Almont.
“As a YAC member, I always enjoyed spending time connecting with fellow students across our communities. During our time together, whether it be carpooling to YAC meetings or chatting at volunteer events, the people and friendships were key elements to some of my fondest memories,” said YAC alumnus MaryRose Clark, who now serves on the Foundation’s board of trustees. She and fellow former YAC members and Capac graduates Tiffany Ellis and Jeff Van Wormer are helping make plans for the reunion.
“Being able to connect with fellow YAC alums at last year’s reunion was a highlight of mine. Even though we may be linked through social media, having had the opportunity to reminisce in-person sparked a heartfelt nostalgia that I would encourage others to seek out at this year’s YAC reunion on May 13th.”
Attendees will have a chance to mingle with friends and former classmates, share memories from their time together as Youth Advisory Committee members and learn about what the current cohort of YAC members have been up to.
“From the time I was 13, Four County gave me the chance to see first-hand the difference people – even young people – can make in their communities. It truly formed a foundation of public service in my life, no matter where I’ve lived. More than 20 years later I am thankful for that time and excited to learn how those shared experiences impacted the lives and communities of other YAC members,” said Tiffany Ellis.
“I had no idea what a needs-assessment was before YAC. But after more than four years of looking at data supplied by my peers, I learned to take a deep dive into the causes of community problems before trying to propose solutions.”
YAC members are involved in many philanthropic activities throughout the communities the foundation serves. They’ve collected and distributed necessities such as food, socks, and mittens during the winter holidays; read to local students and volunteered at various events throughout the Foundation’s service area. Additionally, YAC members review grant requests for programs that benefit our local youth four times a year. Typically that amounts to 25 grant requests and $50,000 in grants annually.
All former YAC members are encouraged to reach out to Kathy Dickens, Four County Community Foundation Executive Director, at (810) 798-0909 or kdickens@4ccf.org to ensure the Foundation has their updated contact information.
