Loudoun Youth Inc. projects funded include:

2007 GRANTS:

Road DAWG
$6,500.00
Funding to run a summer camp for up and coming 6th graders in the Sterling and Ashburn areas. These camps are used to foster knowledge in gang and violence resistance and team building by using interactive activities, field trips and introducing the GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training) program. Run by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s office.

Project Discovery
$2,000.00
Project Discovery is a college access preparatory program and drop out prevention program. The program serves economically disadvantaged students who are potentially first generation college students. Loudoun County Parks and Recreation Youth Services division has partnered with Dominion High School in Sterling, Virginia to deliver this program. Topics covered in the program include studying skills, test taking skills, decision making and goal setting.

Freedom High School All Night Graduation
$1,000.00
Funding to support the very first all-night graduation program honoring Freedom High School’s first graduating class.

Reality Store
$5,000.00
The Loudoun Volunteer Financial Council, working in collaboration with Virginia Cooperative Extension, provides the Reality Store Program. Reality Store is a role playing simulation designed for teens to improve financial literacy. The goal is to help students become aware of their need for basic skills in financial planning, decision making, goal setting and career planning. Since 2002, a total of 3,251 high school seniors have participated with the Reality Store in Loudoun County.

Click on the following to download an application for a Loudoun Youth Inc grant:

Application for program requests greater than $ 5,000

Application for program requests $ 4,999 or less

Grant applications are due on May 1, 2008. If you have specific questions please contact carol@loudounyouth.org

Loudoun Youth Inc. partners, participates, supports, and/or produces the following events and programs in Loudoun County:

Youth Advisory Council (YAC)

Teen lead council staffed by the Loudoun Youth Initiative office.  More than 40 teens participate monthly, with youth leaders participating as voting members of the Loudoun County Advisory Commission on Youth (ACOY).  YAC supports the website www.loudounteens.org  and manages a Youth Membership Network of more than 250 youth county-wide providing immediate access to youth opinions

Listening to Youth

The cornerstone of the Loudoun Youth Initiative, recognized in 2006 by the National Association of County Information Officers with a Superior Award – the only Superior Award received and the top honor – in its population category under “Special Projects: Public Participation”.  This three-part community outreach campaign provided the input used to develop recommendations and the action plan for the Loudoun Youth Initiative.

Website for Teens, by Teens

www.loudounteens.org, which is hosted by the Loudoun Youth Initiative, went live in October 2005.  This youth driven website reflects the vision and creativity of Loudoun County teens and incorporates their regular input in both content and direction.  As of September 30, 2007 this site had more than 53,000 distinct visitors.

Undertaken by George Mason University for the Loudoun Youth Initiative, this study states, “Overall, leaders in Loudoun County are to be commended for their vision and planning efforts.  This research foundation serves as a sound basis upon which to help the county’s youth initiatives move forward.  The insights gained through this assessment process suggest that the foundations, activities, services, and processes undertaken in Loudoun County are cutting edge and are among the best youth-based approaches in the nation.”  A complete copy of the Loudoun Youth Study 2006 can be found at www.loudoun.gov

This annual event started in 2004, and brings together a cross-section of Loudoun youth with active members of the adult community, for a day-long discussion of what it means to be a youth in our Loudoun County.  Done in partnership with the Loudoun Youth Initiative, the Loudoun County Public Schools, private schools and home schooled community, this event has annual participation of 350+ individuals.

In partnership with the Loudoun Foundation and the Loudoun Youth Initiative, the All-Star Battle of the Bands gives high school “garage band” musicians their very own “American Idol” opportunity.  This landmark program, created in 2005, has inspired our young musicians to reach for their stars.  Winning bands have received over $16,000 worth of musical equipment, had the opportunity to collaborate creatively with major recording artists, been able to record their music in professional studios and appear locally on cable television.

People In Places is a youth designed, organized and operated program to assist young people from western Loudoun County.  With transportation provided through the Loudoun Youth Initiative, PIP is able to take Loudoun County teens to events, activities and programs that they might not otherwise be able to attend.

Main project implemented after the receipt of a $200,000 grant from the United States Department of Justice with matching funds from the Commonwealth of Virginia.  This program operates in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Loudoun and takes place at the Dulles Sports Plex.

This is a recently formed coalition to facilitate distribution of information to youth regarding teen suicide and depression.  In partnership with Dominion Hospital, CrisisLink, and Loudoun County Mental Health, this coalition honors the memory of Tania English and other students from the Broad Run High School community that have died by suicide.  Loudoun Youth Inc. is the recipient of memorial donations from the family of Tania English.

This exciting full day event hosted by the Loudoun Youth Initiative, features interactive activities focused on teen health & safety, nutrition, education, community awareness and, most importantly, teen FUN.  This event showcases hands-on, interactive stations, exhibits, demonstrations and live stage entertainment performed by area teens.  Over 30 local non-profits participate in this event that was created and designed by local teens.

1st Annual golf outing scheduled for May 19, 2008.  This event, done in partnership with Dulles South Youth Sports, will be the inaugural charity event of the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Creighton Farms, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course.  Only 18 ‘Charter Teams’ will play at this select event.  Contact Carol Kost, 703.362.0765, for more information.

A program administered by Northern Virginia Family Service providing low-income, uninsured children with access to health care services through a network of private-practice physicians and Kaiser Permanente.  Loudoun Youth Inc. Board of Advisor members have raised over $40,000 for the LKHP.

Founded in 2004, the Purcellville Teen Center hosts an average of 250 students every Friday night.  To find out more about the VIBE check out   www.the-teen-center.com

The hanging out ROCKS @ loudoun county public library is a nationally recognized, cutting edge and innovative program for youth taking place every Friday night at the Cascades Library.  To find out more about this award winning program visit   www.lcpl.lib.va.us/teens

Operated by Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services, the recently opened Claude Moore Recreation Center will host after-hours youth activities on Friday and Saturday nights.  To find out more and for hours of operation go to www.loudoun.gov and follow links to PRCS and Claude Moore Recreation Center.

Founded in 2004 by then sophomore high school student Kristen Karinshak, Walking For Water is devoted to building wells for the Dagara people of Burkina Faso.  Loudoun Youth Inc has sponsored youth ‘walkers’ for the past two years.  Walking For Water has raised over $150,000 since its inception.  www.wisdomspringinc.com

Two local teens coordinated an Africa Walk event at Loudoun Valley High School.  Over 50 walkers raised $1,250 at this event.  www.africawalk.org

This is one of many community service projects taken on by the Youth Advisory Council of the Loudoun Youth Initiative.  More than 60 students participated in last year’s stuffing of care packages for the troops.

The Loudoun Youth Initiative and the Advisory Commission on Youth took the lead in a redesign of the YAS program offered through the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services for middle school age youth across Loudoun County.  This successful effort resulted in enrollment increases to the YAS program of over 300% in the first year.  Related to this effort, Boys & Girls Club of Loudoun began programming at two middle school sites beginning in September 2006.

Now hosting three middle school, after school sites in Loudoun County at Sterling Middle, Stone Hill Middle and Simpson Middle.  Boys & Girls Club is also a partner with Loudoun Youth Inc in the After Dark gang prevention program.   www.bgcloudoun.org

The following is a list of programs that youth have, or will have, the opportunity to participate in by being members of the Youth Membership Network of the Youth Advisory Council:

•   Leadership Experience Conference
•   Leading with Assets, a Search Institute workshop
•   Girls Take Charge, organized by Learning to Lead
•   FedEx International Junior Leadership Conference
•   Youth Leadership Conference, Villanova University
•   National Youth Summit
•   James Malinchak Seminar, co-author “Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul” and author of “Teenagers: Tips for   Success”

Anti-bullying and awareness program presented to 7 local high schools by the Loudoun Youth Initiative.  Rachel Scott was the first student killed at Columbine.  Her family now travels the country speaking with youth. 

Friends of Rachel (FOR)

This is a continuation program following performances of Rachel’s Challenge.  It provides engagement opportunities for youth and community members to combat bullying in their schools and community.

This Loudoun Youth Initiative event includes youth from every high school in Loudoun County as well as Notre Dame Academy and the Foxcroft School.  Youth spend time learning directly from county government department directors and staff as well as interact directly with the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors.  They have the opportunity to participate in the Board of Supervisor’s business meeting.

4th Annual Family Fest Sponsor

Loudoun Youth Inc. provided funding for the Entertainment Stage at the Dulles Town Center Annual Family Fest which is held in August shortly before school begins.  Along with Family Fest Presenting Sponsor Inova Loudoun Hospital, Loudoun Youth Inc is proud to participate in this event which benefits Loudoun Interfaith Relief.

Loudoun Youth Inc sponsored interactive discussion on gangs in Loudoun, addressing assessment, prevention and strategies.  These events are coordinated with the Gang Response and Intervention Team (GRIT), the Loudoun County Sheriff and Leesburg Police.  The last session featured an Assistant Deputy Attorney General from the Criminal Division of the Virginia Attorney General’s Office.

Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce

Recent efforts by Loudoun Youth Inc Board members have resulted in the formation of a non-profit subcommittee at the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce.  Watch for more information regarding this committee at  www.loudounchamber.org

This partnership between the Loudoun Youth Initiative and Creative Youth Theatre Foundation led to the development of “Normal”, a teen-written, teen-produced, and teen-acted play about bullying.  The performances took place in 10 venues throughout Loudoun County and averaged 150 audience members for each show.

Advisory Commission on Youth (ACOY)

Loudoun Youth continues to participate in meetings of the Loudoun County ACOY.  This Loudoun County Board of Supervisors appointeed commission works with the community and government agencies on youth related issues.

On-going working group designed to coordinate efforts to build, support, and expand after-hour teen "centers" and programming for Loudoun County youth.