Youth for Community Improvement (YCI), a young person led grant-making committee of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, announced the awardees of its 2018 YCI Fund program today, totaling $25,300.

The YCI Fund provides funding in support of areas of interest determined by the committee through an extensive community learning process. For 2018, academic enrichment, health & wellness of young people, and youth leadership & civic engagement emerged as top community priorities. The committee is proud to announce the awarding of 11 grants from the 33 applications received.

Those organizations receiving funds this year are:

• Boys & Girls Club of Worcester in support of their youth led leadership programs.
• Hope Coalition to support implementation of youth-led trainings for adults.
• Main South Community Development Corporation for a free community concert organized by students from South High School, Claremont and University Park Campus School.
• Muslim Community Link Inc. to help facilitate employment training and workshop opportunities for youth.
• Nativity School of Worcester for support of their winter and spring arts nights.
• Pernet Family Health Service, Inc. to help facilitate their youth summer jobs program.
• Quinsigamond Community College in support of a sex education course for Gateway to College students.
• Shrewsbury High School for the purchase of a hydroponic gardening system for the Chemistry Club.
• Worcester Interfaith to support youth led advocacy work within their Voices for Youth Employment program.
• YMCA of Central Massachusetts in support of a mock legislative program for young people.
• YWCA of Central Massachusetts for the implementation of a youth led sexual harassment and sexting workshop.