YAPPERS Brings Youth Together With Philanthropy


Foundation: Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque

credit: Flickr

"It helped me learn many skills during a productive time, yet it was a casual, little-pressure atmosphere that allowed me to make mistakes and grow." Such is the story of Jenna Manders, a senior at Dubuque, Iowa's Wahlert Catholic High School.

Manders is a member of the YAPPERS program, which the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque started 17 years ago as a way for teens in the area to get involved in community service, team-building, and the like, reports the Telegraph Herald.

Since then, the program has grown from a couple of teens to hundreds of high school students in three area high schools.

The group meets at nonprofit organizations in the tri-state area, where meetings are followed by volunteer activities.

"One of the primary purposes of this initiative is to get into the community and make a difference," says Emily Rollins, director of philanthropy at the Community Foundation.

In 2022, YAPPERS awarded grants to Crescent Community Health Center, Hills & Dales, iJAG, Almost Home Dubuque, the Riverview Center, the Dubuque Community School District, and the Red Basket Project.

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