Funding to benefit East Dayton
Initiative helps teens learn about technology

DAYTON | The YMCA of Greater Dayton and East End Community Services, has been awarded a grant to help teens learn 21st-century skills such as media, video production, effective writing and critical thinking.

The YMCA is one of 12 in the region to get the grant, which is for an initial $5,500 with the potential for $8,000 after the youths map their community projects.

The IMPACTPLUS grant helps young people use technology to leverage their participation in civic life.

A key component of the IMPACTPLUS project is a planning process called resource mapping. Through the resource mapping process, young people begin to create a common understanding of their community and create a graphic representation of the area's resources.

Five inidviduals will represent the YMCA and East End Community Services at a resource mapping retreat later this month.

Zac Sideras, a junior at Kettering Fairmont High School, and Robin Kane, a freshman at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, are on the team.

Both were selected based on their involvement with the YMCA and other community organizations, their dedication to making a difference in the community and their leadership abilities.

YMCA representatives are Jennifer Mueller, Director of Teen Leadership, and Steve Gill, Community Development Director. The East End Community Services representative is Jeff Cartwright, youth program director.

For more information, visit www.impactplus.org.