Madison, WI – On April 11, By Youth for Youth (BYFY), a collaborative project of United Way, Dane County Youth Commission and City of Madison Community Development Division, will award $32,500 to 16 local youth programs/projects. The projects will directly impact more than 421 youth and are projected to reach more than 3,361 youth and their families in our community.
BYFY’s funding priorities are focused on activities that promote racial equality, reduce the achievement gap, increase opportunities for economically disadvantaged youth, raise cultural awareness, promote a healthy lifestyle and LGTBQ+ support and awareness. These priorities are set by BYFY’s committee.
Funding highlights:
• Historical Black College/University Tour – East High School Black Student Union: $3,000 will support this project and organization, which fosters student development through diversity, academics and social services.
• Drop the Mic: Loud and Unchained – Freedom, Inc.: $2,500 will support their mission to end violence within and against low-income communities of color by empowering those most impacted by violence. Their goal is to build leadership of low-income queer youth of color.
• Nuestras Voces: Mujeres Poderosas (Our Voices: Powerful Women) – Centro Hispano: $2,350 will go to this program, which empowers voices of multicultural women through the discussion of topics not normally talked about in school: LGBTQ+, race, culture, heath, self-identity, career goals in a safe space.
“By Youth For Youth opens doors for the next generation of leaders in Dane County,” said Renee Moe, President & CEO of United Way of Dane County. “These passionate teens are learning how to transform their energy and drive into measurable results that change lives. We are proud to serve with these inspiring young leaders as they become powerful advocates in our community.”
About By Youth For Youth:
By Youth For Youth is a volunteer committee of 20 Dane County high school students that makes investment decisions for youth-led programming in Dane County. BYFY provides youth the opportunity to identify needs and issues that are important to them and direct funding to those issues. Four sponsors donated the funding for BYFY projects: Oscar Mayer/Kraft Foods, United Way of Dane County, City of Madison—Community Development Division and Dane County Youth Commission.
About United Way of Dane County:
United Way of Dane County is committed to the vision of a Dane County where everyone can succeed in school, work and life. Our community’s Agenda for Change is six goals focused on three priority areas of Education, Income and Health – the building blocks of a stable life. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative work, we facilitate bringing the many voices of Dane County around a neutral table to find common ground and make progress, while providing organizations and individuals the opportunity to give, advocate and volunteer to change lives in Dane County.
BYFY Committee Member Roster 2015-2016
Aariika Maaneb de Macedo Edgewood Sophomore
Amit Rajesh Memorial Sophomore
Amol Rajesh Memorial Senior
Anand Raman West Senior
Brooke Lewis WIVA Sophomore
Chloe Urben Waunakee Sophomore
Dana Nelson Shabazz Sophomore
Jessica Smith LaFollette Senior
John Russell Monona Grove Senior
Jorge Saiz West Junior
Joseph Terranova East Sophomore
Maggie Go Middleton Junior
Menatu Maaneb de Macedo Edgewood Junior
Noah Friedlander West Senior
Olivia Guzman Verona Junior
Phoenix Borowski Waunakee Sophomore
Rohan Sampat Memorial Senior
Siddharth Raman West Sophomore
Tamaya Schreiber-Poznik West Junior
Zoey Chadli Shabazz Sophomore
