'Ypsilanti Youth Empowered to Act' (YYEA) is a Youth Board composed of twenty students ages 14-19 from Ypsilanti area high schools. YYEA was created to promote youth empowerment and leadership, civic engagement, and youth philanthropy through service-learning. The program was made possible by a grant from the Youth Innovation Fund, established by W.K. Kellogg Foundation and administered by the National Service-Learning Partnership (NSLP). Awarded to Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation in partnership with Eastern Michigan University, the Neutral Zone and the Ypsilanti Public Schools, the two-year grant was the largest single award by the Kellogg Foundation for youth-directed civic action. Ypsilanti was one of only eight national sites chosen to receive the award; over 210 communities in 47 states applied for the funds.

A panel of five adults will provides oversight and guidance, assisting Site Coordinator Shamyle Nesfield. Starting in 2004, mini-grants will be made young people for innovative civic action projects using a service-learning approach. The goal of the program is to catalyze the passion and drive of youth to become key contributors to the decisions made in the public sphere. Ypsilanti's youth board will receive training and support from the Partnership and share their unique expertise with other sites.

Adult Advisors - YYEA
Martha Bloom
Lisa Dengiz
Peggy Harless
Shamyle Nesfield
Tulani Smith