A pair of Langley charities are the recipients of grant investments through Coast Capital Savings’ Youth Leaders Community Council.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Langley’s Teen In-School Mentoring program and the Fraser Region Community Justice Initiatives with the Education for Peacebuilding-Restorative Action in Schools program are among the grant recipients.
Altogether, more than $440,000 is being invested in local organizations in the Fraser Valley, helping more than 110,000 young people.
The grants, up to $30,000 each, are awarded through a unique “for youth, by youth” process led by the Fraser Valley YLCC, one of three regional Coast Capital youth councils. The councils were created as part of Coast Capital’s community promise to build a richer future for youth. Each YLCC is made up of eight young volunteer leaders from the community and Coast Capital savings, all 30 years old or younger.
The teams are mentored throughout their duration on the councils, enabling them to develop critical leadership skills. In turn, they help to manage the community giving program, and base granting decisions on specific criteria aligned with Coast’s four areas of youth focus: education, family and social connections, financial well-being, and health.
“We were overwhelmed with both the number of applications we received and the amazing community work that is being done in the Fraser Valley,” said Zenaida Telfair, one of the members of the Fraser Valley YLCC.
“While each organization that applied is doing great things, the Fraser Valley YLCC believes the selected recipients go above and beyond in supporting our community’s youth.”
“We are looking forward to seeing the positive impacts our 2014 recipients will have on our community as a result of these community investments. These organizations are all great examples of community contributors that align with our “for youth, by youth” commitment, and we are delighted to support them,” said Coast Capital board member Robin Chakrabarti.