The 2015-16 Kent County Youth Philanthropy Board in alphabetical order: Cassidy Bennetti of Dover High School, Maura Gast of Dover High School, Brielle Hermstedt of Milford High School, Jason Kalaygian of Milford High School, Jeff Kidner of Red Lion Christian Academy, Jack Kidner of Red Lion Christian Academy, Christie Little of Lake Forest High School, Dyshere Logan of Caesar Rodney High School, Stephanie Lynn of Lake Forest High School, Justin Nash of Smyrna High School, Liam O’Connor of Caesar Rodney High School, Joanna Petrosky of St. Thomas More Academy, Kaitlyn Pokorny o f Calvary Christian Academy, Jordan Resh of Dover High School, Katie Richardson of Polytech High School, Therese Sadusky of St. Thomas More Academy, Andrew Stant of Caesar Rodney High School, Henry Stephan of Polytech High School, Otis Winding of Calvary Christian Academy and Meghan Yearkes of Smyrna High School. (Submitted photo)[/caption]

DOVER — The Kent County Youth Philanthropy Board of the Delaware Community Foundation awarded $10,000 to four Kent County nonprofit organizations at a grants ceremony on April 14 at the Duncan Center in Dover.

The DCF’s Kent County YPB is composed of 20 Kent County students from public, independent and diocesan high schools. Since September, YPB members have been studying youth issues in their neighborhoods and schools, learning about community service and grantmaking, and visiting nonprofit organizations.

This year’s Kent County YPB chose to focus on organizations that provide direct services to people with special needs. Preference was given to programs that incorporate agriculture, arts or animal therapy.

•Paws For People - $3,500 to expand therapy dog services in Kent County by providing more training.

•Art Studio 4:10 - $2,750 to help fund 27 art sessions for children and adults with severe, multiple disabilities.

•Down Syndrome Association of Delaware - $2,500 to assist with its new Milford mini-camp for Down Syndrome clients and their siblings this June.

•VSA Delaware - $1,250 to help fund its Performing Arts Residency program and its performance in Kent County.

The Delaware Community Foundation sponsors a Youth Philanthropy Board in each Delaware county to encourage high school students to become more involved in philanthropy. Each board of high school students is allotted a pool of money to give as charitable grants. The students learn about philanthropy and effective grantmaking, study youth issues in their neighborhoods and schools, solicit grant proposals, conduct site visits, and award grants to those they determine to be most deserving.

Retired Delaware educator Phyllis Wynn established the Youth Philanthropy Fund in 1999 because she wanted to encourage youth to become more involved in philanthropic ventures. Students who serve on the YPB are nominated by their principal or guidance counselor.

“The Youth Philanthropy Board program does more than give kids the chance to make a difference,” DCF President and CEO Stuart Comstock-Gay said. “It gets them out into the community to experience firsthand the impact their work has on people’s lives.”