The Youth United Way is a year-round program designed to encourage students age 14 to 24 to volunteer in their community. Students in public, private and parochial middle schools, high schools and universities can participate in the program. A Student Advisory Committee heads the Youth United Way.

The Youth United Way is a role model in “youth infusion.” The program seeks to give students the opportunity to participate in their community in the same way adults do. Therefore, the Youth United Way operates similarly to the United Way. Students run campaigns in area schools to raise money to support youth-oriented projects addressing issues of alcohol and drug abuse,violent crime, reading proficiency, and teenage pregnancy. A Donor Investment Committee comprised of students, the first in any United Way, accepts and reviews proposals from service agencies requestinggrants to fund specific programs. The students decide which programs receive the grants.

Opportunities for students include:

• Youth Advisory Council

• Student Volunteer Program

• Youth United Way Campaign Cabinet

• Summer Youth Corps

• Youth Donor Investment Committee

If you would like more information on Youth United Way, please contact Doris Bridgeman at 965-1355 or doris@myunitedway.com.