A note from Shelly Kasprzycki-April 2022

Posted on April 21, 2022November 29, 2022 by Patti Wheater
Posted in A Note From Shelly, Community, Grants, News, Youth Advisory Committee

Dear friends,

As spring fully blooms, I am reminded of the promise of young people as I see them plan for prom, summer jobs, and graduation. So many hopes and dreams are on the precipice of reality. And thus, the Community Foundation plays an important role by investing in young lives. We have opened over 2,400 Kickstart to Career savings accounts and, last year, we awarded scholarships to more than 350 students and funded more than $1.8 million in education-related grants.

I am troubled when I hear the derogatory term “snowflake” to describe youth as lazy, protected, and entitled. What I see here in Newaygo County are hardworking kids—children that need our loving guidance and just enough freedom to develop their own minds and sense of self. Our young citizens will be the leaders of the future and the workforce to keep our economy growing. They will guide family values. I hope they will also be able to break the cycle of contempt for our fellow people and find real solutions to long-term problems.

If you need an example of the tenacity, creativity, and leadership of young people, take a look at our Youth Advisory Committee. They engage in grantmaking, leadership, volunteerism, and building friendships across school boundaries, socioeconomic status, and geography. The world today is a complicated place with criticism often overriding compassion, but I am heartened to see these students’ commitment to making the world around them better.

We’re proud to partner with you to help young people through opportunities like Kickstart to Career, scholarships, and more. Kids are doing so much more than we realize in sometimes very challenging circumstances. Hope shines eternal!

YAC prepares for a new year

Posted on August 16, 2021January 31, 2022 by Patti Wheater
Posted in News, Youth Advisory Committee

After 17 months of virtual meetings, our Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) kicked off a new school year with a teambuilding retreat at Camp Henry on August 4.

Returning YAC members spent the morning getting reacquainted and taking part in activities that emphasized teamwork, communication skills, and facing challenges creatively. Together, YAC members navigated a group tightrope walk, obstacle courses, and rode on a giant swing. The half-day retreat served as the official start of a new school year of activities for the group.

“This year, I’m most looking forward to meeting new people,” said Iris Herrera, an incoming junior from Newaygo who will also serve as this year’s YAC secretary. “Now that I’m a part of YAC’s executive team, I’m learning more in depth about what we do. Every year is a little different, and I’m looking forward to learning.”

YAC students meet once a month from September to May to learn more about philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, leadership, grantmaking, and more. Each March, students review grant requests for programs that impact local youth and recommend funding. In 2021, $62,500 was awarded to programs offering mentoring opportunities, outdoor recreation, mental health resources, and more for Newaygo County youth.

This year, YAC students will also continue to evaluate the results of their most recent Newaygo County youth needs assessment, which included a survey of more than 900 local high school students.

YAC typically includes 24 members and is made up of a student from each grade at each Newaygo County public high school as well as the homeschool community. Bringing together students from different grades and school districts allows for a diversity of perspectives on the committee and gives members the chance to get to know peers from other schools and towns.

YAC is currently looking for incoming ninth graders with leadership potential to join the committee for the 2021-2022 school year. Students entering ninth grade this fall at a Newaygo County high school—or who live in Newaygo County and homeschool—are eligible to apply. Potential applicants should be willing to attend all meetings, participate in occasional community service activities, and be responsible students with a positive attitude.

For more information about YAC or to apply, visit facommunityfoundation.org/yac.

New trustees elected during annual meeting

Posted on July 13, 2020January 31, 2022 by Patti Wheater
Posted in News, Trustees, Youth Advisory Committee

Fremont Area Community Foundation held its annual members meeting on June 18. Members elected two new trustees and reelected four incumbents to the organization’s Board of Trustees.

Members of the Community Foundation are chosen by virtue of their leadership positions in the community, and their primary responsibility is to meet annually to elect trustees. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was held virtually for the first time in the organization’s history.

Roland Reed and Mikhail Salacina were each elected by the members to join the Community Foundation board.

Reed is a partner and CPA with H&S Companies. A native of Fremont, Reed earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Central Michigan University and a master’s degree in accountancy from Wake Forest University. He also serves on the Community Foundation’s Professional Advisors Board.

“I always thought about how I would give back,” said Reed, who returned to the area with his family after living outside Michigan for several years. “We have a great community here, with great people. When you look around the country, if we’re going to affect positive change, it has to start at the community level. I’m looking forward to being a part of what the future holds here. It’s exciting to think about what we can do in the next few years.”

Salacina is an attorney and partner at Schuiteman & Salacina, PLC. He graduated from Newaygo High School and earned bachelor’s degrees in political and biological science from Wayne State University. He earned his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

“I grew up in Newaygo County and I wanted to do something to give back to my community,” said Salacina. “I think we have opportunities here you wouldn’t have elsewhere. I see firsthand in my occupation the difference you can make in people’s lives. I think in a smaller community like ours, the impact you can have is often more direct. I’m really looking forward to serving on the board and seeing what impact we can make in a positive way for Newaygo County.”

Trustee incumbents Lola Harmon-Ramsey, William Alsover, Randy McDonald, and Peggy Rossler were each elected to serve additional three-year terms on the board.

Youth Advisory Committee awards 12 grants

Posted on May 10, 2019January 31, 2022 by Ashley Folkema
Posted in Grants, News, Youth Advisory Committee

The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) of Fremont Area Community Foundation recently announced the results of its annual YAC grant round, awarding more than $76,000 to 12 agencies and programs serving local youth.

Grants were awarded to a variety of programs that align with YAC’s funding priorities: supporting youth facing challenges such as poor home life, building and improving recreational and educational activities for local youth, and continuing education and skill development opportunities.

Building on a program they helped to fund last year, YAC awarded support for an expansion of the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan’s be nice. mental health awareness and education program in two local school districts. They also joined several other regional partners in supporting a new child advocacy center to serve Lake, Newaygo, Mecosta, and Osceola counties. Programs at two local libraries received funding as well as art and drama workshops, mentoring programs, a leadership workshop for eighth graders, and more.

Grant applications were reviewed by YAC members who come from each Newaygo County public high school and the local homeschool community. Throughout the year, YAC members also visit local nonprofit organizations, learn about philanthropy and leadership, and engage in community service projects.

YAC grants are awarded each spring to programs impacting local youth. Applications are due March 1. For more information, visit facommunityfoundation.org/YACgrants or call 231.924.5350.

First Youth Member Named to Distribution Committee

Posted on May 24, 2018November 2, 2018 by david
Posted in Community, Grants, Youth Advisory CommitteeLeave a Comment

Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) member Emma Kartes was recently selected to be the first youth member of Fremont Area Community Foundation’s Distribution Committee.

Kartes was chosen by YAC leadership and will join a group of Community Foundation trustees who review staff grant research and make grant decisions and recommendations to the full Board of Trustees. Last year, the Community Foundation awarded $5.7 million through its two community grant rounds to support more than 100 local programs.

YAC leaders and advisors developed the idea to include a YAC member on the Distribution Committee as a way to provide a greater youth perspective on the Community Foundation’s grantmaking and to increase YAC’s understanding of the Community Foundation’s work.

Currently finishing her sophomore year at Fremont High School, Kartes has been a YAC member for two years. In addition to her experience in reviewing YAC grants and conducting site visits, Kartes has impressed YAC leaders with her responsibility, professionalism, and thoughtful leadership.

“I’m interested in and willing to give back to the community that continues to provide so much for me,” said Kartes, who added that she is honored to be the first YAC member to serve on the Distribution Committee. “I’m excited to be able to start off and set a good example for the YAC members who will serve in the future.”

YAC Grants $1 Million Since 1995

Posted on May 18, 2018November 2, 2018 by Ashley Folkema
Posted in Grants, News, Youth Advisory Committee

The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) of Fremont Area Community Foundation recently announced the results of its annual YAC grant round, awarding more than $72,000 to local agencies and programs serving youth. With this round, YAC has now granted more than $1 million since awarding its first grants in 1995.

This year’s grants were awarded to 11 different organizations to support a wide variety of youth programs. Each aligned with one of YAC’s three funding priorities: supporting youth facing challenges such as poor home life, building and improving recreational and educational activities for local youth, and continuing education and skill development opportunities.

One new program receiving funding was the “be nice.” mental health education initiative. The Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan will partner with local schools to bring the program to Newaygo County. Through a variety of lessons and activities, the program encourages schools and communities to embrace good mental health and recognize the power of everyday words and actions.

Other grants awarded will support art and drama classes for teens, recycling, infant safety, mentoring and internship programs, and more.

Grant applications were reviewed by YAC members who come from each Newaygo County public high school and the local homeschool community. YAC members also conducted site visits to share information about the available grant funding and to learn more about local nonprofit organizations.

YAC grants are awarded once a year to programs impacting local youth. Applications are available in February and due on March 1. For more information, visit facommunityfoundation.org/YACgrants or call 231.924.5350.

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Category: Youth Advisory Committee