(FLINT, Mich. – November 13, 2017) – The Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce today announced the receipt of $211,750 from several organizations and individual donors in support of afterschool programming, teen employment and efforts to assist young people in Genesee County.
This includes a $100,000 donation from Joybox Express, the Ann Arbor-based nonprofit behind the Sprint4Flint initiative. The effort—which aimed to raise funding for and spread awareness about the YouthQuest afterschool program—brought together cyclists and swimmers from across the state to help transport a 385-pound piano from Flint to Mackinaw Island.
Other generous grantors and supporters include the:
- Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions, $50,000 (Opportunity Youth)
- United Way of Genesee County, $15,000 (YouthQuest)
- United Way of Genesee County, $15,000 (TeenQuest)
- Youth Advisory Committee of Community Foundation of Greater Flint & Grand Blanc, $10,000 (Summer Youth Initiative)
- Youth Advisory Committee of Community Foundation of Greater Flint, $9,500 (TeenQuest)
- Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan, Howard & Howard Law Firm Donor Advised Fund, $5,000 (YouthQuest)
- Child Welfare Society, $5,000 (Summer Youth Initiative)
- Genesee-Lapeer-Shiawassee Region V, $1,000 (YouthQuest)
- Burroughs Trust, $1,000 (Summer Youth Initiative)
- Sam’s Club #8291 of Flint – $250 (Summer Youth Initiative)
Funding from these organizations will benefit three of the Chamber’s youth- and teen-related programs, which are administered by the Genesee Area Focus Fund, a supporting organization of the Flint & Genesee Chamber, and made possible through the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. These programs include:
- YouthQuest, a comprehensive afterschool program that provides educational, enrichment and physical fitness opportunities for 2,000 students in grades K-12 each year
- TeenQuest, a pre-employment and leadership training program for high school students, ages 14-19, in Genesee County
- Summer Youth Initiative (SYI), which connects TeenQuest graduates with summer job opportunities in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors
Also benefiting from this support is the Flint & Genesee Opportunity Youth Coalition, led by the Flint & Genesee Chamber, Mott Community College’s Workforce & Economic Development and a Steering Committee comprised of local nonprofit leaders, workforce development representatives and concerned citizens. Together, this coalition works to devise strategies to combat issues faced by “Opportunity Youth,” or young people ages 16-24 who are disconnected from education or employment.
“We are very thankful for the generosity of these organizations,” said Rhetta Hunyady, Vice President of Education & Training, Flint & Genesee Chamber. “Their support allows us to better serve the youth and young people of Flint and Genesee County.”
To learn more about the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, visit www.flintandgenesee.org.
About Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce
The Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce (www.flintandgenesee.org) is a premier business membership organization unlike most chambers of commerce. In addition to traditional member services, our responsibility includes serving as the lead economic development agency for Flint & Genesee, marketing tourism, youth and business training, and a Shared Services Center.
About YouthQuest
YouthQuest is a high-quality, research-based afterschool program offering educational and enrichment activities that engage young minds. Available at 15 sites in the city of Flint and Genesee County, YouthQuest serves nearly 2,000 students in grades K-12 each year. The program is administered by the Genesee Area Focus Fund, a supporting organization of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, with primary support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and 21st Century Community Learning Centers. For more information, visit www.yquest.org.
About the Summer Youth Initiative and TeenQuest
The Summer Youth Initiative is a program that helps Flint-area teens find paid summer jobs. It’s open to students who’ve completed the TeenQuest afterschool program, which provides pre-employment and leadership training to students ages 14 to 19 to help them succeed in college and the 21st century workplace. Both programs are administered by the Genesee Area Focus Fund, a supporting organization of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, with primary support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. To apply or learn more, visit www.flintandgenesee.org/teenquest.