United Youth

Children and Youth Matter ... The Fond du Lac Area United Way proudly sponsors "United Youth", a youth advisory board of the Fond du Lac Area United Way. This group serves as a representative voice of youth in the Fond du Lac area. The program provides members with knowledge of agency programs and services, understanding of the United Way volunteer and allocations process and opportunities for active involvement in our communities. Members of United Youth are responsible for the allocation of funds to community organizations, which provide programs for youth.

The idea for a Youth Advisory Board came out of a Strategic Plan developed by the Fond du Lac Area United Way to increase the participation of youth in the United Way and Fond du Lac area communities. Dollars were subsequently matched by the Fond du Lac Area Foundation and the Fond du Lac County  Safe and Stable Families Initiative. In September of 1998, the Fond du Lac Area United Way brought together a group of youth to begin the process of developing plans for a youth advisory board that would encourage community organizations to start, continue, or expand youth-related programs. Adult advisors are Kim Braatz, Fond du Lac resident and educator and Jill Baumhardt and Lesley Manowske, Community Volunteers at the Fond du Lac Area United Way.

United Youth recently allocated one-time, mini-grants to non-profit organizations with project or program proposals based on the following criteria:

• Program / project involves youth participation, benefits the community, and does not have a specific religious or political focus.
• Program / project demonstrates a creative approach to helping the community.
• Program / project fits into the requirements of the funding sources:

New members will be recruited during the  school year. Prospective United Youth members must be juniors or seniors from any area high school. For more information call Tina Potter (921-7010).