Youth projects get a boost from COFFY and Gennext

Central Okanagan Foundation for Youth (COFFY) and United Way’s Gennext partnered again this year to offer Youth Initiative Grants for up to $2,000. $5,000 is contributed from both Gennext Kelowna and COFFY for a total of $10,000 distributed in the Central and South Okanagan.

These grants are available to young people up to age 25 who are partnering with an organization to create positive change in their local community. A committee comprising of COFFY and Gennext representatives met in late March to review the applications and make funding decisions.

Six Youth Initiative Grant applicants have received funding for the 2016 round of grants:
–          Enactus Okanagan College, Kelowna, CAN$ave
–          C.R.I.S. Adaptive Adventures, West Kelowna, CRIS Youth Challenge
–          Kelowna Secondary School, Kelowna, Mini We Day
–          AS Matheson Elementary School, Kelowna, Aboriginal Drum Project
–          Summerland Secondary School, Penticton/Summerland, Planting the Seed
–          Dragonfly Pond Society, Penticton, Dragonfly Cooking Club

“It is inspiring to see the drive and passion today’s youth have to make meaningful differences in our community,” says Molly Ciardullo, Coordinator for the Central Okanagan Foundation for Youth, noting that the project topics span from financial literacy to mental health awareness to a cooking club for youth with unique abilities.

“It was great to hear all of the great projects the youth in the community were able to come up with,” says Gennext Chair Kevin Schmidt. “It is projects like these that help our community flourish and grow in a positive way. We are thrilled to give out the grants to these very deserving projects.”

Enactus Okanagan College is running a project called CAN$ave. CAN$ave aims to teach financial literacy to elementary school students in the Okanagan Valley. The program was developed by Enactus when it became evident that an increasing amount of university students weren’t equipped with adequate financial literacy knowledge when entering adult life. They teach a number of topics, including the importance of saving money, the advantages of having a bank account, and important lessons about debt. Enactus has partnered with Valley First Credit Union, who gives each successful participant in the program $25 to give to a local charity of the students’ choice, teaching them about philanthropy and how it impacts our community.

“We are extremely grateful for the added support COFFY and Gennext have provided us during the development and delivery of CAN$ave. It's because of community initiatives like this, Enactus OC can continue to thrive in creating sustainable and positive change throughout the Okanagan” said Abbey Jones, CAN$ave Project Manager.

Youth Initiative Grant funding will be available again in 2017.