Officials to present 1st grant from fund

The recipient program teaches children about the dangers of tobacco.
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley will present the first grant from the Young Philanthropist Fund to Teen Educators Affecting Children's Health.
The presentation, set for 11 a.m. Wednesday in the library of Kirkmere Elementary School, marks the successful development of the Mahoning Valley's first formal young philanthropy initiative.
The grant is a 1,000 award.
Teen Educators Affecting Children's Health, or TEACH, is a program endorsed by the Youngstown city schools in which eighth-grade pupils at Volney Rogers Junior High School teach fourth-grade pupils at Kirkmere Elementary School the dangers of tobacco use through physical activities and group discussions. Some of those taught by TEACH have become TEACH teachers themselves as eighth- graders.
TEACH was selected for the grant after an evaluation of 13 grant requests received by the Young Philanthropist Fund. Evaluation criteria included proven success, youth-oriented focus, impact and written evaluation after site visits. Grants from all Foundation funds are made to IRS designated 501(c)3 organizations.
The Young Philanthropist Fund was established in early 2006 with the goal of introducing the Valley's younger generation to the role of philanthropy and the efforts of the nonprofit community, and preparing them for their future role as future philanthropists.
The grant is being made at the recommendation of the Young Philanthropist Board, made up of foundation staff, members of Youth Leadership Mahoning Valley, the Mahoning Valley Professional 20/30 Club and members of Youngstown State University Student Government Association.
The MVP 20/30 Club's 40 Under 40 Awards event and individual contributions are the primary fundraisers for the Young Philanthropist Fund. Contributions to the fund may be made at www.cfmv.org.