Central Okanagan Foundation for Youth (COFFY) and United Way鈥檚 GenNext have partnered again this year to offer Youth Initiative Grants for up to $2,000.

This year, the two groups contributed $7,725 to Central and South Okanagan for five youth led projects.

鈥淚t is great to see all of the innovative ideas our local youth are cultivating and how they are putting them into action,鈥� says Molly Raposo, coordinator for the Central Okanagan Foundation for Youth, noting that the project topics span from starting a chap book press to a fashion show for youth with unique abilities.

These grants are available to young people up to age 25 who are partnering with an organization to create positive change in their local community. A committee comprising of COFFY and GenNext representatives met in late March to review the applications and make funding decisions.

鈥淐ongratulations to the recipients of 2017鈥檚 youth initiative grants. The grants have always been a proud part of GenNext鈥檚 mandate,鈥� says Carly Gilmore, GenNext Board Chair. 鈥淲e strive for diverse community involvement and support through the United Way and I believe that the grants have accomplished that this year. We have a great mix of active and creative community events and initiatives that are a positive contribution to the Okanagan. I can鈥檛 wait to see this ingenuity at work in the community!鈥�

The five Youth Initiative Grant applicants that have received funding for the 2017 round of grants:

- Accelerate Youth, 琉璃神社, Enactus Okanagan College

- One Button Press, 琉璃神社, University of British Columbia Okanagan

- Silver Surfers, 琉璃神社, Enactus Okanagan College

- Student Okanagan Film Festival, 琉璃神社, University of British Columbia Okanagan

- Uniquely Fashionable Fashion Show, Penticton, Dragon Fly Pond Society

鈥淭hanks to the Youth Initiative Grant committee for making this awareness and inclusion event possible,鈥� adds Traci Fladager, Program Coordinator for Dragonfly Pond Family Society. 鈥淭his amazing event allows individuals up to 25 years of age, the chance to create, promote and star in a fashion show. It brings families and the community together, for an exciting evening, to celebrate this amazing group.鈥�