Teenagers Award $10,000 Through Quad-Cities Community Foundation Program
A group of local teenagers have spent the past year identifying promising opportunities and pressing needs in the Quad Cities area as part of the Quad Cities Community Foundation’s Teens for Tomorrow Program.
The students immersed themselves in the grant process by learning about community needs, developing a grant opportunity, evaluating applications, visiting with nonprofits, and now, awarding grants. In recent months, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region, the teens also adapted to virtual meetings due to stay-at-home and social distancing requirements, giving them experience in adjusting as needed and being flexible through their philanthropy.
“I learned so much about my community—things I never would have known if it hadn’t been for this program,” said Davenport Central High School Junior Maitreyi Shrikhande, who participated in the program for the first time this year. “I didn’t realize there were so many nonprofits working so hard caring for the environment, providing mental health support, and offering opportunities for people with disabilities.”
Her time as a Teens for Tomorrow member also opened up the door to new friendships. “Now, I have friends from all across the Quad Cities who are equally interested in the future of our community.”
Jean Moran, board chairperson of the Community Foundation, said that the Teens for Tomorrow Program is part of the Community Foundation’s commitment to encourage philanthropy in all Quad Citizens, no matter one’s age. “Teens for Tomorrow provides a platform for young people to play a central role in meeting needs and discovering opportunities that strengthen our region. The students come to our board meeting, and share what they’ve learned. Through them, we gain an important perspective on our community. I find hope and am inspired by the care and compassion they exhibit.”
This year’s students chose three areas to focus their grants, including the environment, mental health, and opportunities for people with disabilities.
The seven recipients of Teens for Tomorrow grants this year are:
- Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities, to support opportunities for people with disabilities—$2,500
- Epilepsy Advocacy Network, to support opportunities for people with disabilities—$1,040
- Family Resources, Inc., to support mental health—$1,500
- Handicapped Development Center, to support opportunities for people with disabilities—$1,000
- The Penguin Project at Augustana College, to support opportunities for people with disabilities—$800
- New Kingdom Trailriders, to support opportunities for people with disabilities—$2,160
- River Action, Inc., to support the environment—$1,000
Applications are currently being accepted from local teenagers who wish to participate in the 2020/21 Teens for Tomorrow Program. Students can visit here to fill out the application—which is due by June 30, 2020. The program is open to high school students in Rock Island and Scott Counties.
