The Huron County Community Foundation Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) recently conducted their Needs Assessment Survey. These results will shape the YAC’s grantmaking and service projects in the upcoming three years. The YAC is the youth component of the Huron County Community Foundation, comprised of representatives from each of our area high schools. These students complete awareness projects, fund development initiatives, participate in community service activities, and award grants to local projects impacting youth.

What is the biggest issue facing your community? This is one of the many questions that the YAC recently asked Huron County students. Every three years the YAC surveys 7th, 9th, and 11th grade students at each of our county’s high schools to ask our youth their opinions on issues impacting their classmates. “Allowing our YAC students to administer the anonymous survey to their peers gives us a unique perspective into these students’ lives,” said Mackenzie Price Sundblad, HCCF Executive Director, “It’s important to us to give our students a voice.”

This year’s survey results led the YAC to identify the following Top Three Needs:

1- Gossip/Rumors

2- Drug and Alcohol Use

3- Texting and Driving

The YAC will accept grant applications in April for programs addressing one of the top three needs. If any local organizations are planning projects to impact one of these areas, please contact HCCF, as the YAC would love to collaborate around these issues.