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Troy Youth Assistance Presents Youth Recognition Awards
(TYA, May 29, 2021)
The Troy Youth Assistance Youth Recognition program was significantly different this year.  It focused on individual high school students and offered a financial award, a “Boost Grant.”  TYA wanted to help students who had set goals for success, made some progress toward those goals, and needed a bit of financial help that may not be available through other sources.  Troy Youth Assistance felt that with all of the economic and social challenges this past year, it would be a good time for the organization to put some financial assistance into our future community leaders.
The Committee looked for those students who “started from behind” because of experiences such as: family tragedy, illness, previous academically poor results, court mandated changes in custody resulting in change of residence, parenting responsibilities that required a leave of absence, or school insubordination.
The 2021 Youth Recognition program rewarded students who have forged a path to progress as a positive response to court or police intervention. The student nominators gave a recap of why a student’s goals and progress are important to the individual or the community as well as why a Boost Grant would be appropriate.  The nominee had to answer a handful of questions as well as prepare a detailed request for funding.
The grants were given according to perceived need and benefit.  The winners of the 2021 Troy Youth Assistance Youth Recognition Grants are:
Cole Bennett, Troy High; Paul Fisette, Michigan Youth Challenge Academy; Casey Gabriel, Troy College & Career High School; Joseph Grieme, Troy High School; Chlaudio Grishaj, Troy College & Career High School; Jada Johnson, Troy College & Career High School; and Paije Ruff, Troy College & Career High School.
Troy Youth Assistance is a non-profit organization committed to strengthening youth and families by preventing and reducing juvenile delinquency, child neglect and child abuse through community involvement. For more information on TYA, call 248.823.5095 or visit www.troyyouthassistance.org