Youth United Way allocates funds raised in area school campaigns

Area school campaigns raised nearly $18,000 and the Youth United Way were asked to help allocate the funds.

The Youth United Way is a United Way initiative that helps youth build an understanding of community needs and promotes volunteerism for participants and the entire youth community.

The program consists of three students from area schools at sophomore, junior and senior standing. Community grants were awarded to organizations whose programs dealt directly with youth substance abuse and teen pregnancy after youth reviewed applications and made recommendations to the United Way board. Grant recipients included New Vision Counseling, Perry County Task Force, Girl Scouts of Otahki Council, Boys and Girls Club, Cape County Juvenile Drug Court Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Lutheran Family & Children Services, Teen Pregnancy Responsibility Network and Youth Substance Abuse Coalition for Youth Focus Groups. Grant requests were limited to $2,500.

For more information, call the United Way of Southeast Missouri at 334-9634 or visit www.unitedwayofsemo.org.