Area Youth Programs Awarded $34,000 By United Way

MADISON, Wis. -- It wasn't peer pressure, but peer recognition that brought teens out for a special evening of ceremony on Monday.

Thirty Dane County students received grants from the United Way on Monday night for their youth-focused programs and initiatives.

The By Youth For Youth committee handed out $34,000 in aid to 17 student groups. It is the 15th year of the BYFY programs.

Students began working together to form organizations in October of 2007.

"Being involved with United Way and our partners on BYFY has been a really fun experience," said Angelica Medina, a junior at Verona Area High School, and the United Way Board of Directors youth representative.

"Our youth committee is making a difference in our neighborhoods, and we’re all learning valuable leadership skills," she said.

Some of the projects recognized at the banquet included a program encouraging exercise and conflict resolution at the Kennedy Heights Community Center, an educational program at Deforest High School to teach students about Hmong culture and traditions, and a community art project in Sun Prairie that seeks to build mentoring relationships between teens and adults.

The program was collaboration between United Way of Dane County, City of Madison, Dane County Youth Commission, MGE and Oscar Mayer/Kraft.

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