Our Youth Advisory Council (YAC) wrapped up another year with more than $55,000 granted to nine youth organizations and schools. In addition to making grants, YACers escaped locked rooms during a teambuilding event, engaged in education sessions as well as attended nonprofit dinners, site visits and service opportunities, while also taking a more active role in driving the direction of the group.
“One of our goals this year was to independently run and mediate our meetings as an executive team with guidance from our advisors,” said Alexis Rumptz, the 2023-23 YAC president, who was elated to bring about the change of sustainability and independence to the YAC executive team and council.
During grantmaking, the council was able successfully focus their resources on their main key areas – mental health, school life, and positive lifestyles.
“We had one of our largest grants in YAC history to Memphis Community Schools for their STEM learning labs,” Rumptz said. “We cannot wait to see our money used to help benefit the students, parents and faculty in the Memphis school district and how it comes to fruition.”
This grant will allow more Memphis students to explore career pathways through hands-on learning experience in fields such as digital communications, robotics and control technology.
The Memphis Community Schools grant wasn’t the only large thing to happen this year. The cohort also contained fourteen graduating seniors from across St. Clair County – one of the largest graduating classes in YAC history.
“Being YAC president for a particularly large group of YAC members was a task I was ready to tackle and, looking back on our granting year, I felt that it was quite successful,” Rumptz said. “Leading within a larger group of individuals my same age and working on something that deals with several laws, rules and regulations influenced the YAC to make sure that we have thoughtful discussions about our grant applications.”
She added valuing the perspectives and opinions from YAC members during and outside of the granting process helped the 2022-23 YAC succeed in making a larger community impact. The YAC group actively aimed to better the county for youth, which Rumptz felt like they did.
“This year we truly geared in on making this come to fruition, and I can truthfully, confidently, and proudly say that we made this happen,” she said.
As the school year comes to an end, YAC says goodbye and good luck to the 14 graduating seniors – Jacob, Madeline, Charley, Emma, Patrick, Dylan, Ian, Michael, Alexis, Hadley, Azalea, Liam, Tara and Lily. We know the future is bright for these students and future leaders! Before they head off to college, a few of them took time to reflect on their years in YAC and how it impacted their lives.
Alexis Rumptz
President – 4 years in YAC
Port Huron Northern High School
Attending Saginaw Valley State University – Biology
“Serving in my community is where I find myself being one of the best versions of myself, knowing that I am helping serve a purpose for the greater good of my community and knowing that I am helping someone or others who may be in need. Being on YAC has truly exposed me to the quality of service I am capable of and how much more of the community of service I still have yet to explore.”
Favorite YAC memory – Getting more involved in my community, surrounding myself with key people and leaders, along with getting to serve in ways I have never thought possible without YAC.
Lily Zink
Secretary – 3 years in YAC
Serves on the Council of Michigan Foundation’s MCFYP Committee
Yale High School
Attending Michigan State University – Human Biology
“I learned the importance of being involved in the community and helping in any way I can. One small act of kindness can make a huge difference in someone’s life.”
Favorite YAC memory – Our last meeting my junior year when we had a water gun fight with Kevin and Audrey! It was so much fun and a great way to end the year!
Emma Lomasney
Treasurer – 4 years in YAC
Port Huron Northern High School
Attending University of Michigan – Neuroscience
“Something valuable that I learned from my time on YAC is to always look an issue from all possible perspectives. This is a lesson that I’ll be able to carry with me much farther than YAC. It was also the beginning of my future in philanthropy. I plan to continue giving my time and energy to similar organizations throughout my lifetime.”
Favorite YAC memory – Definitely the fun we managed to have at seemingly boring meetings. Our group was always able to make it entertaining.
Ian Pinnoo
4 years in YAC
St. Clair High School
Attending Michigan Technological University – Business Analytics
“The experience that impacted me the most would probably be just being a part of the Community Foundation. Before joining YAC, I had zero knowledge about what the Community Foundation was or what it did. I now know that it grants out money to organizations in our county that have similar goals to us, to make the community a better place.”
Favorite YAC memory – The team bonding event from last year when we split into teams and had someone try to shoot a nerf bullet into a basketball hoop while Lindsay threw socks at us. It was very chaotic, competitive, and fun.
Tara VanBuskirk
Secretary 2020-22 – 4 years in YAC
Marine City High School
Attending University of Michigan – Forensic Psychology
“Going to SONS and doing a site visit, and seeing how our money truly helped them, really made me proud of what we do.”
Favorite YAC memory – Everyone fighting last year with mine and Jacob’s water guns and chasing Audrey with them.
Patrick Mason
4 years in YAC
St. Clair High School
Attending University of Michigan – Business
“Through YAC I learned the importance of helping others in the community so each individual has equal opportunities.”
Favorite YAC memory – During my freshman year when I was sitting by Charley and he leaned too far back and broke a chair.
