The Nelson County High School Youth Philanthropy Council decided to give grants to organizations focus on affordable housing and mental health in Nelson County.
The club had $15,000 in grant money to give out; they started in September when the Nelson County Community Fund (NCCF) and the Community Foundation of Central Blue Ridge each donated $7,500 to the program.
The Youth Philanthropy Club had full control over the recipients of the money.
The council was created to support youth in the community doing and learning about philanthropy. Dakota Justus started up the club and ran the meetings, he started the club as his senior project.
There were 15 members this year ranging from 9th grade to 12th.
The first recipient of the grant money was Bridge Ministry, an addiction treatment center in Buckingham County.
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Jennell Charles, member of the Nelson Community Fund and the person who helped create the club, said the Bridge Ministry helps men who face addiction and have recently been incarcerated.
“It’s an organization that NCCF has funded in the past. It’s in Central Virginia and transforms the lives of troubled men and their families by providing mentoring, vocational skills, education, and help build relationships,” Charles said.
According to Charles, the program lasts 18 months and it includes therapy for the men.
“It’s about trying to break the cycle of incarceration and their rate is much lower,” Charles said.
The Bridge Ministry originally asked the club for $10,000 and were given $6,000.
William Washington, the Executive Director of Bridge Ministry, said the grant money would go to support substance abuse treatment for men from Nelson County.
“While clients are in the program, they not only receive substance abuse treatment, but also behavioral and mental health services, vocational training, professional certification courses, educational classes, business classes, and financial literacy classes. We also help clients gain career employment and stable housing after graduation,” Washington said.
Washington said the bridge ministry heard about the Youth Philanthropy Club because they have received grant money from NCCF in the past and learned about the grant through the NCCF website.
The Youth Philanthropy Club also gave out money to the Nelson Community Development Foundation.
Nelson Community Development also asked for $10,000 and were given $6,000.
Margaret Claire, member of the Nelson Community Development Foundation, explained the Nelson Community Fund encouraged them to apply for the grant.
“We’re going to use the grant for first time home buyers in Nelson,” Claire said.
Claire said the foundation is working on another grant for first time home owners and that they are excited that the club chose them.
“For kids to start thinking about giving back to the community is huge. It’s a great project and I’m very excited to be part of it,” Claire said.
Overall, the council had five proposals sent to them and decided on only choosing the two. The rest of the money will be rolled over for next year.
Christian Proctor, a member of the Youth Philanthropy council this year will be taking over as head of the council next year.
According to Charles, the council plans on fundraising the rest of the funds next year.
