The Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce YouthQuest program has been awarded a $2.8 million grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
“Because of the continued generosity of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, thousands of Flint & Genesee children are safe, healthy and learning during the critical afterschool hours,” said Tim Herman, CEO, Flint & Genesee Chamber. “A grant of this size makes it possible for YouthQuest to benefit students in so many ways. This program changes lives, and we are thankful for the C.S. Mott Foundation’s support in ensuring its success.”
YouthQuest is a comprehensive, free afterschool program that serves more than 2,000 K-12 students at 18 area sites. It is administered by the Flint & Genesee Chamber.
For the first time, in the 2014-15 school year, YouthQuest has expanded services to all Flint Community Schools, including the district’s two high schools. It also operates at two Carman-Ainsworth elementary schools and the International Academy of Flint.
“While this grant allows the YouthQuest program to continue to serve elementary and middle school students, it also helps support our new program for high school students,” said Rhetta Hunyady, Vice President, Education and Training, Flint & Genesee Chamber. “These older students benefit from a program that offers flexibility and gives them direct input about topics important to them. With the continued, longtime support of the C.S. Mott Foundation, we’ve been able to expand YouthQuest, and that is such a positive thing for students and their families.”
The C.S. Mott Foundation has funded afterschool programs in Flint and Genesee County since 2001, providing almost $16 million in support for Bridges to the Future, the predecessor of YouthQuest. Since 2010, the Mott Foundation has provided an additional $14.7 million for afterschool programming through YouthQuest.
YouthQuest reinforces learning that takes place during the school day by offering high-quality activities and services that encourage the exploration of new interests in the areas of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and the arts, and promotes academic achievement, physical fitness, youth leadership and volunteerism.
For more information about YouthQuest, contact Hunyady at or (810) 600-1412.