Columbia Basin Trust has a new program to support youth in Basin communities. Community Directed Youth Funds (CDYF) will be piloted in six communities and their surrounding areas this fall.  CDYF targets youth ages 12 to 19 and will provide each area with $100,000 over four years to increase activities, opportunities and services for youth. The program will be available to the remainder of the Basin over the next two years.

“Basin communities have expressed the need for support in increasing activities or services to youth and this new program is a result of that feedback,” said Neil Muth, CBT President and CEO. “We are pleased to support communities in their efforts to address and meet local youth priorities.”

The program is intended to bring added value to participating regions and to provide resources to communities that show the desire and the ability to work together to identify and address issues in their youth communities.

“The intent of Community Directed Youth Funds is to put resources in the hands of communities so they can enhance local opportunities and meet local youth priorities in their regions,” said Garry Merkel, CBT Chair, Board of Directors. “This is consistent with CBT’s belief that communities are best placed to make decisions regarding their priorities and consistent with our direction to provide resources and funding to communities to allow them to pursue their priorities.” Merkel went on to say, “Youth are the future of the Basin and as such are an important area for CBT to be investing funds.”

Guidelines and applications will be available in the fall, but those wanting to better understand the program are encouraged to call Wayne Lundeberg at 1.250.304.1625 or email [email protected] with ‘subscribe to CDYF info’ in the subject line to receive program updates.

CBT works with youth and communities to increase youth opportunities and engagement through enhancing capacity, leadership and participation. In addition to this new program, CBT also funds youth developed projects through the Columbia Basin Youth Grants program and provides a forum for youth in the Columbia Basin to share their art, ideas and experiences with each other through SCRATCH magazine andwww.scratchonline.ca.

Columbia Basin Trust

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