Gibson County anti-bullying, student council groups get Youth Resources funds | Community Spirit

Three Gibson County school groups will be receiving cash awards in the Youth Resources Make A Difference grants to youth from Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey, and Gibson counties.  The Make a Difference grant screening committee is comprised of trained high school students from the Youth Resources’ Teen Advisory Council.  The committee members have awarded grants ranging from $100 to $1,000 to youth representatives from each school or group. 

The three Gibson County school groups include:

Fort Branch Community School-Peer Pursuit:  The Peer Pursuit team will host an anti-bullying campaign in October called “Be Bold.”  They will have a school wide presentation called “Stand for the Silent.”  The team will also participate in a retreat to understand how to handle acts of bullying ($263).

Fort Branch Community School-Student Council:  The council members would like to host a kindergarten orientation, called “M & M” Night.  They want to purchase educational books, prizes, and supplies for the incoming kindergarteners.  During the orientation, the young kids will take part in group learning activities, take a tour of the school, and enjoy refreshments ($770).

Gibson Southern High School-Anti-Bullying Club:  Students at Gibson Southern high school are starting a club that will bring awareness and information about bullying to those in the school and the community ($279).

In all, the Make A Difference grants will fund 16 youth-led service projects for over $10,000.  These programs encourage volunteerism and leadership among young people, and the youth involved gain first-hand experience on the importance of community involvement. 

These youth-led service projects benefit communities throughout Southwestern Indiana in these ways:  Empowering youth to realize they can make a difference; raising awareness toward needs in local communities; teaching the value of community involvement while planning and implementing their service projects; increasing self-esteem, confidence, and knowledge related to classroom curriculum; encouraging adult and youth partnerships; and enriching the lives of the local citizens who benefit from these youth-led projects.