United Way of Dane County

Madison, WI (April 30, 2024) – The By Youth for Youth (BYFY) committee, a collaborative program through the Dane County Youth Commission, United Way of Dane County, the City of Madison Community Development Division and UW-Extension Dane County’s Positive Youth Development Institute, awarded $26,130 to 10 local youth programs and projects.

BYFY’s funding priorities for 2025 were focused on addressing poverty, food insecurity, homelessness, immigration, positive sense of self/self-image, mental health resources and services, family violence and sexual assault.

“By Youth For Youth participants are the next generation of community leaders and make a real difference in our community,” says Renee Moe, President & CEO of United Way of Dane County. “These amazing teens learn about the challenges facing our community, collaborate and effectively communicate to accelerate impact and change lives. We are proud to be part of this partnership to convene Dane County’s youth leaders.”

“These projects are a powerful reminder that our students are not just future leaders—they’re leading right now,” said Cynthia Green, MMSD’s Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning. “From addressing food insecurity to promoting cultural pride and sustainable practices, they’re creating real change in our schools and neighborhoods.”

Funding highlights:

“Middleton Meals Matter”, Middleton High School: This organization collaborates with local businesses to host food drives and fundraisers, which are then delivered to the WayForward food pantry. Fully led by youth, with both its board and volunteers comprised of students, Middleton Meals Matter seeks to address food insecurity by not only increasing youth community involvement but also enhancing the resources and financial support available to local food pantries that serve youth in need

“Imagine Club”, Oregon High School: This program focuses on menstrual equity and providing period products free of charge to students at Oregon High School. The program will work to reduce stigma related to menstruation, minimize the amount of time that students spend out of class/school and will serve students who lack access to adequate housing and personal care products more easily afforded by those who have stable living conditions and steady income.

“Equity Symposium”, MMSD West High School: This proposal will fund an event that offers over 50 workshops led by students, leaders, scholars and artists pioneering equity initiatives in the community. Students will gain an increased understanding of social issues they care about and awareness of equity work in the Madison area to inspire them to take action themselves.

Full List of Funded Organizations and Programs:

• Memorial High School (MMSD): “Mid-Winter Meals”
• MSCR/Meadowood Neighborhood Center: “Kitchen Wizards”
• Mendota Elementary (MMSD): “Mendota Market Expansion”
• Scholars Who Succeed Club at White Horse Middle School (MMSD): “Self-Care Center”
• Middleton High School: “Middleton Meals Matter”
• Rooted, Inc: “Season Extension”
• Oregon High School: “Imagine Club”
• West High School (MMSD): “Equity Symposium”
• Happy Feet of Madison: “Happy Feet”
• Lake View Elementary (MMSD): “Hmong American Day”

2024-2025 BYFY Committee Members:

• Aditya Behara Middleton
• Adriana Villagomez La Follette (MMSD)
• Amelia Kozler Cambridge
• Andry Negovani Memorial (MMSD)
• Angie Barrera-Gonzalez La Follette (MMSD)
• Arjuna Grady Verona
• Audree Brunke Memorial (MMSD)
• Dahjenae Lavell La Follette (MMSD)
• Diego Miranda-Naxi La Follette (MMSD)
• Emma Granquist Cambridge
• Esther Ko Memorial (MMSD)
• Faith Waefler Belleville
• Hanshika JaiPravinKumar Sun Prairie West
• Jana Alhuniti Memorial (MMSD)
• Laylee Farrar Cambridge
• Kobe Ni Waunakee
• Lily Johnson Sun Prairie West
• Olivia Morsbach Edgewood
• Reya Khatri Middleton
• Rishab Kotte Sun Prairie West
• Rishith Umesh Sun Prairie West
• Ruitan Luo Sun Prairie East
• Ruth Bawithadim Sun Prairie West
• Sophia Downs Cambridge
• Suin Lim Memorial (MMSD)
• Uriel Nikiema Edgewood
• Yesenia Villagomez LaFollette (MMSD)

For media inquiries and/or to schedule an interview, please contact Ashley Manthei, Director of Communications, United Way of Dane County at (608) 416-0401 or Ashley.manthei@uwdc.org.

###

About By Youth For Youth:

By Youth For Youth (BYFY) is a volunteer committee of Dane County high school students that makes investment decisions for youth-led programming and initiatives in Dane County. BYFY members identify critical issues impacting youth in Dane County, establish funding priorities, review grant proposals and recommend funding from County and City grants to support projects developed and implemented by youth to serve youth.

Three sponsors provide the funding for BYFY projects: United Way of Dane County, Dane County Youth Commission and the City of Madison Community Development Division. United Way of Dane County is the fiscal agent for both City and County funds. University of Madison-Wisconsin Extension provides administrative and programmatic oversight in partnership with the City of Madison and United Way of Dane County.

About United Way of Dane County

United Way of Dane County mobilizes the caring power of our community to close gaps and open opportunities so all can thrive. From advancing health and education to strengthening livelihoods and local resilience, we connect people to possibility. With a mission to unite the community to achieve measurable results that change lives, we work collaboratively with local nonprofits, businesses, community leaders, donors and volunteers to multiply impact and solve big-picture issues no one person or organization can address alone. Together, we are The Power of Caring. Working for All. Visit www.unitedwaydanecounty.org to learn more.