State Farm® Youth Advisory Board Grants $96,250 To Support Youth Efforts on Sustainable Healthy Eating.
| What: | “Barn-Raising” and Grant Award Ceremony |
| When: | Tuesday, October 23 - 4-6 pm |
| Where: | Los Alamos Cooperative Market 95 Entrada Drive, Los Alamos, NM |
| Who: | Local Youth and Volunteers, Linda Daly, Executive Director of the Y, State Farm Agency Field Executive James Medina, and State Farm Agent Lou Santoro. |
Los Alamos, NM. Oct. 23, 2012 – The Los Alamos Juvenile Justice Advisory Board (JJAB) was awarded a $96,250 State Farm Youth Advisory Board (YAB) Grant in support of an educational and outreach community garden. The JJAB has contracted The Family YMCA to deliver the grant's education and food-assistance objectives throughout the next year. This is the second award by the State Farm YAB to the JJAB for their Los Alamos Youth Food Project (LAYFP). Funding last year supported the establishment of community partnerships, created curriculum, funded classroom activities, and assisted with the creation of a garden site at Los Alamos Middle School. This year's award will further develop classroom and community garden efforts.
“State Farm supports service-learning because it integrates service to the community into classroom curriculum using a hands-on approach to mastering subject material while fostering civic responsibility,” said State Farm Agency Field Executive, James Medina.
A small “barn-raising” will be held on the 23rd in conjunction with the official Grant Award Ceremony of the State Farm YAB grant. This hoop-house raising event is going to allow youth an opportunity to paint and decorate the structure that will be used for winter planting and spring seedling starters. Volunteers, especially youth, are welcome to assist with the completion and decoration of a small hoop house at the Co-Op, which is partnering as a satellite location for the award's community garden project.
“The Y is pleased to be the steward of this grant from State Farm's Youth Advisory Board to our JJAB,” said Linda Daly, executive director. “Our mission is to form partnerships for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, so this aligns perfectly with our vision.”
Local State Farm agent Lou Santoro added, “the Youth Advisory Board is a prime example of State Farm's commitment to education, our community and our youth. I could not be happier to see the work of our local youth and local nonprofits recognized and supported.”
The State Farm Youth Advisory Board has granted over $24 million in grant money since its inception in 2006, empowering youth to implement service-learning in 397 communities. Additionally, applications are available for interested youth aged 17-20 to become Youth Advisory Board members. More information can be found at www.statefarmyab.com.
Robert Villegas, Public Affairs Specialist, (480) 293-6018.
Diana Martinez, Senior Program Director: The Family YMCA, (505) 662-3100
JJAB strives to help youth and families feel and be connected, valued, and recognized through community, families and individual activities. Our board is made up of community members including parents, judges, teens, government leaders, and representatives from numerous community organizations. Together we fund and organize programs that have a positive impact on youth, families, and the community. Our vision is for all youth and adults to be positively engaged in our society.
The Y is dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities. As a charitable organization, we work to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. We're here to provide the resources to address our communities most pressing social issues – from childhood obesity to graduation rates. At the Y, you're not just a member of a facility; you're part of a cause. For more information on the programs provided by the Y please visit: www.laymca.org/index.shtml.
The Y is working in partnership with the Schools, the Chamber of Commerce, Pajarito Environmental Education Center, The Co-op, and a myriad other community entities and volunteers to make this project a success. We are in need of expertise, volunteers, and donations of materials or financial support to help develop this project. For pictures, calendars and updates on various project work parties, activities and developments, please visit http://layouthfoodproject.wordpress.com. You can also learn more by contacting Sylvan Argo at the Y, (505) 662-3100.
The State Farm Youth Advisory Board is a diverse group of 30 youth, ages 17-20, who were chosen through a competitive process to lead and oversee this $5 million/year signature service-learning initiative. The Youth Board identified the issues, issued competitive grants and will now provide technical assistance, communication and oversight to site grantees. More information can be found at www.statefarmyab.com.
State Farm and its affiliates are the largest provider of car insurance in the U.S. and is a leading insurer in Canada. In addition to providing auto insurance quotes, their 17,800 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts - more than 79 million auto, home, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 43 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com or in Canada http://www.statefarm.ca.
