What an unusual experience it was for our Youth Advisory Committee this school year. Our YAC participants were members of the Homer Middle School National Junior Honor Society – seventeen highly committed, capable, and eager eighth grade students. As NJHS members, they imagined school spirit activities and community volunteer projects they would accomplish during the second half of the school year, nearly all of which were interrupted by the sudden closure of the school in March. Nevertheless, thanks to Zoom, the kids were able to fulfill their requirements as youth advisors to the Homer Foundation.

The Homer Foundation Youth Advisory Committee is pleased to announce the following recipients of our annual YAC grants that support fun and healthy activities for youth in our community: Homer Hockey Association to purchase new gear for the Microbell program, South Peninsula Behavioral Health Services to support the summer ReAKtion Club, Soccer Association of Homer for underwriting SPARC rental fees for youth activities, and Homer High School Student Council to support travel expenses to the AASG Fall Conference.

More than ever, the dedication of our members this spring demonstrated how empowering it is for youth to be offered the opportunity to make impactful decisions for their community. I wish you could have overheard the kids as they discussed and debated the merits of each grant application in their Zoom breakout rooms. They listened, they learned, they compromised, and in the end, they came together and made thoughtful and careful decisions. Our YAC members handled their responsibilities with maturity far beyond their years. They were determined, despite their separation and isolation, to come together as a positive force our community.

Bonnie Jason, Homer Foundation YAC Advisor

We appreciate our donors, who have confidence in our ability to make thoughtful decisions. Thank you to Dave and Beth Schroer, Elaine Grantier, Shirley Fedora, the donors to the Ashley J. Logan fund, and to Robert and Melon Purcell, who established the Sheldon Youth to Youth Fund to help support YAC’s efforts.

The generosity of these individuals, as well as the support of the Homer Foundation Board of Trustees and staff, enabled YAC to distribute a total of $5,000.00 this year.