The Youth Grant Allocation Board of The Community Foundation of South Alabama awarded grants totaling $6,300 for Teen Mentoring Programs at an awards ceremony held on the May 3rd. The Youth Grant Allocation Board (YGAB) created the Teen Mentoring Program initiative to address the lack of motivation and self esteem of the young people in our community.

The YGAB Class of 2009 consists of 25 sophomores, juniors and seniors that represent fifteen public and private high schools in Mobile and Baldwin Counties. Over the past seven months, these young people learned about the important role nonprofits play in our community and raised over $4,200. The Community Foundation of South Alabama matched the funds raised, allocating one half for the grant awards and one half for the YGAB Endowment Fund.

The Youth Grant Allocation Board awarded $3,600 to Young Leaders of America to provide training and mentoring to students who are at-risk of dropping out of school. Through an intensive leadership and character program students learn to set priorities and become team players. They learn to give back to the community and to become role models for their peers.

Junior League of Mobile received $2,700 to provide an Independent Living program for at-risk teens. The interactive program encourages teens to become good citizens who are self-sufficient and well rounded by providing information that will help them make safe, healthy and informed decisions.

Members of the Youth Grant Allocation Class of 2009 include: Amanda C. Adams – McGill-Toolen Catholic High School; Yamini R. Bhat - Davidson High School; Kayliegh M. Brunson - Theodore High School; Heidi M. Glassie - Spanish Fort High School ; Isy K. Goodman - Alabama School of Math and Science; Diedre A. Graham - Murphy High School; Al  Gross-Lesch  - Baker High School; Chelsea D. Hall - Robertsdale High School; Savannah H. Hallstrom - Robertsdale High School ; Hannah J. Hill - Fairhope High School; Caroline A. Johnson - Cottage Hill Christian Academy; Lester P. Jones - B. C.  Rain High School; Camille P. Jordan - St. Paul's Episcopal School; Richard "Chris" Lee - Gulf Shores High School; John "Tyler" Martenstein - Fairhope High School; Margaret "Kathleen" McCormick - Baker High School; William A. Menas - Spanish Fort High School; Anthony T. Nishida - Baker High School; Catherine C. Odom – McGill-Toolen Catholic High School; Taylor A. Plankers - Gulf Shores High School; Jeanie J. Schottgen - St. Paul's Episcopal School; Lila Y. Sefat - St. Paul's Episcopal School; Payton Tanner - Fairhope High School; Kelsea A. Thomas - UMS-Wright Preparatory School; and Ariel M. Woods - Citronelle High School.

May 2009