Youth As Resources

Kenosha County Youth As Resources (YAR) is a grant-giving program that funds youth-designed and youth-led community service projects in Kenosha County. Youth, with guidance from adults, determine the project they believe will address a need in their community. Youth groups may apply to Kenosha County Youth As Resources (YAR) for grants of up to $500 which may be used to purchase supplies for the project, but may not be used to pay for volunteer time. The Youth As Resources Board reads all applications and then invites youth groups to present their proposals to the board.

Kenosha County Youth As Resources was developed out of a need – a need to make the youth of Kenosha County feel more connected to their community. According to results from a 2010 Search Institute Survey of Kenosha County youth, only 27% felt that they were given useful roles in the community. An even lower 25% of youth felt that adults value them. Kenosha County Youth As Resources is a program of Extension Kenosha County in partnership with the United Way of Kenosha County.

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Apply for a Youth As Resources Grant

Four times a year, Youth As Resources awards grants to area youth groups to assist with community service and service-learning initiatives. Youth must design the service projects themselves and must demonstrate their projects are both educational and of benefit to the community in Kenosha County.

Upcoming Grant Application Due DatesUpcoming Grant Presentation Dates
Tuesday, October 8th, 2024Tuesday, October 15th, 2024
Tuesday, January 14th, 2025Tuesday, January 21st, 2025
Tuesday, March 11th, 2025Tuesday, March 18th, 2025
*Presentations can be made virtually or in person at United Way of Kenosha County (5500 6th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140) between 5:30-6:30 pm.

Service Opportunities for Youth

There are so many incredible organizations in Kenosha County with which youth can create an awesome Youth As Resources project! Need help finding one? – Check out these lists of local nonprofits. If you have an idea for a project related to their work or that would help them do their work, give them a call and ask them to be your sponsor – or reach out to Kenosha County Extension to help connect you with that organization. Any organization, school, church, etc. that serves the Kenosha County Community is eligible to be a sponsor. These are not exhaustive lists.

Board of Directors Application to Open in Spring 2024

The Kenosha County Youth As Resources Board of Directors is made up of nine youth (grades 9-12) and three adults from across Kenosha County. The YAR board meets once a month to discuss community issues, award grants to youth-led community service groups, and plan community involvement initiatives. Youth board members develop leadership and professional skills while working alongside adults.

Applications for the 2024-25 YAR Board are due by Friday, March 8, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Interviews will be on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, between 5-8 PM at United Way of Kenosha County, 5500 6th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140 (virtual accommodations can be made in extenuating circumstances). Check this page in 2025 for information on next year’s application.

Endowment Fund

In memory of her husband Leonard Johnson, Patricia Johnson donated the initial funds to start the Endowment Fund in 2008. The fund is designed to ensure the long-range sustainability of the Kenosha County Youth As Resources program. Only the earnings of the fund will be used to support local youth-led service projects.

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Annual Reports

The Kenosha County Youth As Resources annual reports outline the projects that have received funding from October to May of that year (e.g. Oct 2014 – May 2015). The annual reports serve as a tool to help you see what has been done in the community and by whom. You may also use the annual reports to help jump-start your community service project with ideas for projects you could do.

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