7 Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Grants totaling $10,000 were awarded in 2022

Girl Scouts of Central Illinois - $1,500 for "GIRL Outreach Program - DeWitt County" to confront challenges posing an increased threat to girls in DeWitt County, while supporting their journey to achieve their dreams through activities designed to encourage well-being and bolster confidence, communication skills and peer collaboration.

Girls on the Run of Central Illinois - $2,000 for "Power Up with Girls on the Run" to integrate running to transform girls' lives by helping them increase their self-esteem and confidence, develop healthy relationships and feel good about themselves, inside and out.

Jump 4 Joy Squad - $900 for "Jump 4 Joy Squad Spring Classes" to teach the sport of jump roping to new youth (ages 4-14) in the Bloomington/Normal area; grant will purchase equipment including jump ropes and athletic floor tiling.

Ridgeview Elementary School - $1,605 for "Ridgview Elementary School Sensory Path" to provide emotion regulation support to students in need at school, especially those on the Autism Spectrum in need of sensory breaks; grant will purchase kit to create path.

Sunnyside Community Gardens & Food Forest - $495 for "Sunnyside Apprenticeship Program" to provide local, low-income teens with job skills, community involvement, food to take home and a stipend in return for their commitment to work 100 hours in the garden over the summer.

Vespasian Warner Public Library - $1,500 for "Access for All: Enhancing Inclusive Collection at the VWPL" to offer a youth collection that is both diverse and inclusive by purchasing books, movies and digital content that feature diverse authors, characters and settings.

Western Avenue Community Center - $2,000 for "Sisters by Chance" to allow 8th grade girls to concentrate on career exploration with the goal to empower youth to make sound choices and become who they want to be through knowledge, dedication, respect, hard work, citizenship and fun.