Foundation supports educators in Maury County

Mike Christen The Daily Herald - Published 9:00 p.m. CT Jan. 15, 2022

A nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Maury County’s students is sharing nearly $17,000 with educators, who support the region’s young men and women.

“We’re thrilled to be able to support teachers in our community with funds for projects that go above and beyond the typical classroom experience,” Robyn Graham, chairperson of the Youth Education Foundation.

The contributions represent those who have been selected by the foundation’s mini-grant program offered to local educators three-times each year in an effort to support local students.

“This December, we received the most grant applications ever, and we hope this continues as word gets out that YEF is here to help,” Graham added.

More: Youth Educational Foundation honors Randy, Leesa Stevens

The January 2022 mini-grant winners include:

Battle Creek Middle School – "Battle Creek Creations"
Brown Elementary School – "Social Emotional Exploration in Kindergarten"
Mt. Pleasant Elementary School – "PreK-4th Grade 3D Print Designers"
Mt. Pleasant Middle School of the Visual and Performing Arts – "Bees at the Mount”
Mt. Pleasant Middle School of the Visual and Performing Arts – “DiVicni Club”
Mt. Pleasant High School – “Farm to Table Greenhouse Renovation at the Mount”
Spring Hill Middle School – “Green Team”
Spring Hill Middle School – “Simple Machines with Legos”
Spring Hill High School – “Large Animal Science and
Veterinary Science”
Spring Hill High School – “Make Our Own Filament: Filastruder”
Spring Hill High School – “Raider Leaders”
Spring Hill High School – “Science Club”
Spring Hill High School – “Shock and Awe” Electric Vehicle Team
Woodard Elementary School – “Crayons For a Cause”

Educators may apply for a mini-grant three times a year for school-related organizations, clubs, projects, or programs which might not meet criteria for MCPS funding.

The deadline for the next YEF funding cycle is April 16, 2022. Interested folks may apply at www.yefmaury.com. The foundation does not exclusively fund projects through Maury County Public Schools.

More:Youth Educational Foundation honors Tony, Gina Wolfe

Initiated by former chairman and chief executive officer of First Farmers and Merchants Bank by former Randy Stevens and the work of the late Pastor Steve Gray, the foundation was established in 2012 to raise funds in support of better educational opportunities for young people in Maury County with a focus to supporting local programs that encourage students to finish high school and attend college or technical school.

Since its establishment, the foundation has distributed more than $240,000 in funding to local school-centric organizations, programs, projects, and clubs in Maury County.

Past effort have included scholarships for GED students administered by South Central TN Workforce Alliance, a book scholarship for every TN Promise Student enrolled at Columbia State Community College, funding an education symposium for educators at Maury County Public Schools and support to education initiative from the Young Life ministry.

Reach Mike Christen at mchristen@c-dh.net. Follow him on Twitter at @MikeChristenCDH and on Instagram at @michaelmarco. Please consider supporting his work and that of other Daily Herald journalists by subscribing to the publication.

Administrative Assistant 12/7/21 Administrative Assistant 12/7/21

Columbia State Presents a Youth Educational Foundation with 2021 TBR Chancellor’s Award of Excellence in Philanthropy

Columbia State Community College recently presented the 2021 Chancellor’s Award of Excellence in Philanthropy to A Youth Education Foundation, Inc. on behalf of the Tennessee Board of Regents.

“A Youth Education Foundation has become a valued community partner, helping students graduate from high school and achieve new goals through higher education,” said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president.

The Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy was established in March of 2001 as a way of recognizing outstanding fundraising programs that donate their resources and efforts to Tennessee Board of Regents colleges. Honorees are selected through a Donor Recognition Committee comprised of representatives from Tennessee community and technical colleges, donors, Trustees, Regents and employees.

“It is because of your mission to establish self-confidence within the youth of your community by providing mentorship, vital resources and educational opportunities to enable them to improve their lives and reach their desired level of accomplishment that you collaborated with Columbia State Community College,” said TBR Assistant Vice Chancellor Cris Perkin. “It is the College’s honor to join with you to create opportunities for youth that inspire dreams, develop passion and shape the future leaders of our community.”

Based in Columbia since 2013, A Youth Education Foundation, Inc., is a Tennessee nonprofit with the mission of providing mentorship, resources and educational opportunities to youths in the community. YEF has donated $168,000 to the Columbia State Foundation in order to aid students through the Youth Education Foundation Scholarship which assists with the costs of books and fees for Maury County students utilizing Tennessee Promise.

“We know the importance of Columbia State and we are very appreciative of this award, what you do and the opportunities you offer to folks within Maury County but also the surrounding counties,” said YEF Chair of Board of Directors Robyn Graham. “We are all successful because of coming together and allowing others to come together.”

“Columbia State collaborates with the YEF in goals and mission,” Smith said. “They are citizens who recognize that the value of a higher education not only serves the student, but it builds the community base in economic and civic leadership.”

For more information about A Youth Education Foundation, Inc., visit www.yefmaury.com.