The YAC is the Youth Advisory Committee of the Huron County Community Foundation. Their role, as the youth component of HCCF, is to be the voice for our county’s young people. The YAC is also responsible for the Youth Activities Fund, a permanent endowment at HCCF. They use this endowment to fund YAC service projects, awareness efforts, and to make grants to organizations impacting the lives of Huron County youth.

Providing grants to youth centered projects is one of the most exciting aspects of the YAC year. In 2023, they provided $7,600 in grant funding. The YAC conducts a Needs Assessment to determine the issues most impacting Huron County students and uses that data to inform their grantmaking and community engagement. The most recent Assessment pinpointed Mental Health, Respect, and Vaping/Drug Use as the pressing issues. The YAC funded a wide variety of projects including large print books for the Bad Axe Area District Library, the CAN Council, a breathwork and meditation workshop for young people hosted by Centered By Sound, and numerous other projects.

The YAC also participates in community service projects annually. Students made blankets for Fleece and Thank You, a Michigan based nonprofit that provides blankets to children with long term hospital stays. During the month of December, YAC students spent an afternoon in elder care facilities across the county. The students played games and socialized with the residents. 

A final highlight for the YAC in 2023 was the official inclusion of a Youth Trustee on the Huron County Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees. The Youth Trustee will serve a one year term on the Board and act as a liaison between the YAC and the HCCF Board. With the Priority of retaining and attracting talent, we are pleased to add a youth voice to Board conversations. Reece Wruble was selected through the Governance Committee process to serve as the inaugural Youth Trustee for 2024, ushering in a new generation of youth voice in HCCF.

Follow our YAC on Instagram @huroncountyyac