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.

In 2025, the YAC conducted a Needs Assessment process to determine the biggest issues facing Huron County youth. The Needs Assessment survey was created and administered by YAC members as a peer-to-peer survey in 7th, 9th, and 11th grade classes. From this survey, county-wide data was collected and the new priority areas for the next three years are: Vaping, Gossip/Rumors, Anxiety/Depression, Lack of Respect. These survey results help inform YAC grants, service projects, and awareness efforts. 

Providing grants to youth centered projects is one of the most exciting times of the YAC year. In 2025, they provided $8,500 in grant funding to a variety of projects. The YAC supported Laker Schools with the purchase and training of a therapy dog to support the mental and emotional development of students. YAC also supported the CAN Council’s Child Advocacy Center by funding a family support locker at the Center. Owendale Gagetown Schools received funding for a sensory room to support students. Healthy and Thriving Day Camp for Girls received a grant to allow for free registration for girls to learn about their mental, physical and emotional health. YAC also provided grant support for Exploring the Arts, the Huron County Nature Center’s 6th Grade Trips, Ubly Band Boosters, and Thumb Blessing Boxes Birthday Kits.

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. The students also partnered with one of their grant recipients, Thumb Blessing Boxes, to package the birthday kits. Each kit contained a birthday cake mix, frosting, candles, a can of soda (to sub for the wet ingredients in the cake mix), a small gift, and a book. The birthday kits will be distributed to schools and food pantries so all kids can have a special birthday!