Connect the YACs

You’ve played the timeless drawing game, Connect the Dots, right?  The goal is to get every dot on the page connected to the others without breaking the line drawn between them.  The goal of your YAC should be the same: to connect each Youth Advisory Council throughout the state of Arkansas and keep them connected.  

You know what your YAC is capable of so think about what all of the YACs across the state could do together.  Each group could pull the spendable money in their endowments to award a grant to a philanthropy based in Arkansas.  Here’s another idea: get YAC groups within your region to come together and plan an event benefitting youth from various counties, towns and cities.  Think of the impact each one of you can make if you use your talents to work together.   

Share ideas.  Build relationships.  Connect the YACs to see the "big picture" of youth philanthropy in Arkansas.  Your YAC (and you) will grow from these connections.

10 years and counting...

In honor of Arkansas YAC's 10 year anniversary,  we got a group of YAC supporters together to tell us what they liked about the program.  We unveiled the video at this year's YAC Attack!  We hope you guys enjoy!

  

Breakout Group Leaders at YAC Attack! '12

Alley Daily

Alley Daily is a sophomore at the University of Mississippi working on her Bachelor’s Degree.  What does she have in common with YAC?  Well, she served 5 (count ‘em!) years as YACer for Hot Springs Area YAC.  She has always been involved in volunteer programs and has a special place for YAC in her heart.  She will lead a discussion about how to motivate yourself and others around you.

Camille Hart

Camille is an America VISTA (sounds familiar doesn’t it?  You’re reading a VISTA’s post right now J) who has served all over the South for three years.  She currently works for the Office of Community-Based Public Health at UAMS.  She loves working with youth and finding new ways to give back to the community.  She will lead a discussion about philanthropy and how important it is in our communities.

Group Leaders at YAC Attack! '12

Andrea Gomez: JCA and Diversity training

Just Communities of Arkansas (JCA) is an organization that advances diversity in the community, by challenging harmful (and often wrong) assumptions and promoting understanding and respect through educational programs and advocacy.  Their programs are available for adults and youth in Little Rock neighborhoods.   Andrea Gomez is the current Youth Programs Director for Just Communities of Arkansas.  She will lead a break session on Diversity and how YACs can be advocates of diversity in their communities.  Andrea will also bring some of the youth involved in the programs at JCA. To learn more about this organization, click here. 

Samantha Minster: Division of Community Service and Nonprofit Support

The Department of Human Services strengthens community resources, volunteerism and national service in Arkansas through their Division of Community Service and Nonprofit Support (DCSNS).  They offer training, technical assistance and information to all Arkansans.  Samantha Minster is a Volunteer Program Coordinator for NW Arkansas DCSNS and provides multiple trainings for volunteer and nonprofit organizations.  She will lead a discussion the role of your YAC and fostering ideas for community service.