Youth in Philanthropy Students to Grant $10,000 to Local Nonprofits

High school students from Hopkinton High School involved with Youth in Philanthropy (YIP), a program offered by the Foundation for MetroWest that provides middle and high school students with philanthropic opportunities, concluded their session by presenting their decision to grant $5,000 to JA Mazie Mentoring and $5,000 to the Community Harvest Project. Held May 16 at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts in Hopkinton, the presentation enabled the students to discuss their decision-making process and share their overall experience with parents, teachers, classmates and community members.

YIP is a unique extracurricular educational program designed for middle and high school students who are interested in learning more about running a nonprofit, how donations are used and the needs that exist in their own community. For the last 17 weeks, 20 students from Hopkinton High School in grades 10-11 participated in the YIP program offered at the school. The students researched local nonprofits, reviewed their grant applications and had the opportunity to conduct site visits to four nonprofits before selecting JA Mazie Mentoring and the Community Harvest Project.

The JA Mazie Mentoring Program recruits and trains adult volunteers to act as mentors and role models for at-risk high school students, providing youth with the support they need to reach their goals and achieve success after high school. The program was founded in 1998 for students at Framingham High School, and a second program was started in 2010 for students at Waltham High School.

The Community Harvest Project improves access to healthy food across Worcester County for those who are experiencing hunger. Inspired by two Hopkinton farm owners who began to donate vegetables from their farm and invite community members to assist in the growing process in the early 1970’s, the Community Harvest Project engages volunteers to grow fresh fruits and vegetables. Through volunteer farming programs, education initiatives and community partnerships, the organization brings together thousands of community members every year.

In addition to the YIP students in Hopkinton, student groups involved in YIP programs across the region are making a positive impact on the MetroWest community. Read more about the YIP program and their efforts here.