Youth projects get funding

Community Foundation unveils 10 Youth in Action grants

The Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta recently announced 10 grants to fund projects through its Youth in Action Granting program, for a total of $14,000.

Funding will support active youth, learning opportunities, pet care, and a solar energy project. Communities involved include Cardston, Coaldale, Glenwood, Hays, Lethbridge and Pincher Creek.

“This is our sixth year with the Youth in Action Grants Program. It’s a great initiative and a fantastic way to introduce youth to philanthropy, and to let them experience the impact giving has on the community,” Charleen Davidson, the Community Foundation’s executive director, said in a news release.

“The entire Youth in Action Grants Program focuses on youth. The applications are written by youth, and the grant recipients are selected by youth — the University of Lethbridge Rotaract Club. It is wonderful to see youth so engaged in their communities. They come up with some creative ideas to address needs that they see in their community, but that adults might not necessarily identify.”

Following is a list of grant projects:

YOUTH IN ACTION GRANT PROGRAM PROJECTS, SPRING 2017 Pincher Creek Metis Local Council Chinook 1880 Pincher Creek

Project(s): Runner of the Woods $2,000 Details: Funds will provide archery equipment, a first aid kit, canoe rentals, and hiking equipment for after-school activities co-ordinated by the Pincher Creek Metis Local Council Chinook 1880.

Livingstone Range School Division Canyon School, Pincher Creek; FP Walshe High School, Fort Macleod

Projects(s): Rocks and Rings, $1,500; Growing Everyone’s GSA $1,500 Details: Funds will provide the students at Canyon School with the ability to learn the sport of curling from Curling Canada, which will host introductory curling classes for students. The funds provided to the students at FP Walshe High School will allow them to strengthen their school’s Gay Straight Alliance through the purchase of LGBTQ friendly library materials and a speaker/film series.

Holy Spirit School Division St. Joseph School, Coaldale

Project: Passive Solar Heaters, $1,500 Details: Funds will be used to purchase building materials for solar heating. Students will learn more about green energy and will compete to see who can create the most efficient solar panels.

YWCA Lethbridge Lethbridge

Project: Sensory Arts, $2,000 Details: Funds will provide the YWCA Lethbridge with sensory equipment that will allow them to run an on-site trauma-sensory program for young victims of domestic violence. The equipment will give participants in therapeutic relaxation sessions a more soothing experience.

Westwind School Division Cardston High School, Cardston; Spring Glen Junior High School, Glenwood

Project: 150 Years Strong, $1,500; Archery Equipment, $1,000 Details: Funds will be used to purchase art supplies so students can create a mural that depicts both Canada's 150th anniversary and the ongoing legacy of perseverance of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Canadians. The funds provided to the Spring Glen Junior High School will purchase archery equipment so students are able to learn archery and join other local schools at archery competitions.

“Group Group” Youth Society, Pincher Creek

Project: Our “Pet” Project, $600 Details: The funds will help the “Group Group” Youth Society launch a program that educates children, youth, and other community members about the importance of proper pet care.

Municipal District of Taber Hays Community Association, Hays

Project(s): Skate Sharpener, $2,000 Details: The funds provided will be used to purchase a community skate sharpener, additional ice skates, and helmets to provide free skate sharpening and to ensure that all children have the opportunity to skate.

Lethbridge School Division Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, Lethbridge

Project: SADD Awareness, $600 Details: The funds provided to the Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) will purchase materials for a campaign at LCI that will increase student awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving.