In Youth We Trust (IYWT), the youth philanthropy program of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, has announced the recipients of the 2023 IYWT Youth Grants cycle: eight projects led by youth for the benefit of youth in Northern Illinois, collectively awarded just shy of $19,000.

The eight projects awarded are as follows:

• Belvidere South Middle Guitar Club | $320 | Belvidere South Middle Guitar Mariachi Project
• Boy Scout Troop 619 | $3,000 | New Canoe Trailer to Promote Water Safety, Ecological Education, and Recreation
• Boys & Girls Club of Rockford | $3,000 | Academic Success through Targeted Outreach Mentoring Program
• Pecatonica KEY Club | $3,000 | Kids Around the World Meal Packing
• Stateline Robotics #4655 | $2,030 | Adaptive Toys
• Student Council at Everest High School | Stress Less! – Teens Mentoring Kids on Positive Mental Health | $1,700
• Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council | $2,839.40 | Book It 205
• Youth Empowerment Center | $3,000 | Youth Empowerment Center  

Learn more about each of these projects below.

Luke Manthuruthil, a senior at Boylan High School and current IYWT Council President, said: “It’s an honor for Council members to review proposals from so many incredible organizations and be able to award these grants that will directly support our peers across the region.”

In Youth We Trust Council is made up of high-school-aged youth from across Northern Illinois. The program engages young people in community service and philanthropy. IYWT gives the council members resources and opportunities to help solve problems affecting their peers and their quality of life. This year the IYWT Grant Programs will distribute up to $40,000 for youth-benefiting projects in the region. IYWT Council Members set grant policy, review youth-inspired service project proposals, and recommend proposals for funding to CFNIL's Board of Directors. Since its inception in 1994 In Youth We Trust has awarded more than $550,000 for youth-led projects! 

2023 IYWT Youth Grant Recipient Project Descriptions:

Belvidere South Middle Guitar Club Mariachi Project
Belvidere South Middle Guitar Club
The club is getting ready for a performance in February 2024, and will purchase authentic handmade bowties to wear during the show. 

New Canoe Trailer to Promote Water Safety, Ecological Education, and Recreation
Boy Scout Troop 619
The troop has six canoes on an existing but nonfunctional trailer. The troop members will unload, clean, repair, and reload the canoes on the new trailer. The ability to transport the canoes will give the troop more option to connect with each other, nature, and gain confidence in water safety.

Academic Success through Targeted Outreach Mentoring Program
Boys & Girls Club of Rockford
The youth team will create and distribute a flier to recruit youth to play and coaches to participate in the structured basketball league. The games will be played at Blackhawk and Fairgrounds Boys & Girls Clubs facilities. Each week, a team and MVPs will be awarded for the best sportsmanship. Coaches and mentors will teach not only basketball strategy but good decision making and study habits tips.

Kids Around the World Meal Packing
Pecatonica KEY Club
The KEY Club will host an all-school meal packing event involving all Pecatonica students. The KEY Club members will assist with set-up and logistics of moving all students through the project in one-hour shifts.

Adaptive Toys 
Stateline Robotics #4655
Stateline Robotics will collect new toys in partnership with Hononegah High School. Requested toys will be those that sing and dance when a button is squeezed. The Robotics team will purchase Jelly Buttons, a technology that is designed for adaptive needs. The team will rewire the toys to utilize the Jelly Buttons so that children who might otherwise not be able to play with them can enjoy the toys.

Stress Less! – Teens Mentoring Kids on Positive Mental Health 
Student Council at Everest High School
The Council will provide mentoring sessions to middle school students utilizing the Active Minds Facilitator materials, and sponsor and organize a school-wide “Stress Less” assembly with the Ned Show Practice Persistence program.

Book It 205 
Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council
The SSAC will purchase reaching books to utilize with their third grade mentees in order to help increase reading skills, comprehension, and ultimately reading scores.

Youth Empowerment Center
Youth Empowerment Center
The group will provide a safe and nurturing after school environment for young people. The supportive space will encourage personal growth, educational support, and community engagement. Additionally, the program will include activities such as Art Club, Home Ec, Self Care, Homework Club, and Field Trips.