Valley Youth House has received a $1,250 grant from the Delaware County Community Foundation’s Hope for Children Fund. Funding will financially support youth under the age of 18 in the Delaware County Supervised Independent Living Program (SIL), giving them the opportunity to participate in normal, age-appropriate activities.

Youth in the SIL program are in out-of-home care and may be excluded from such experiences as participating in extracurriculars, learning to drive, tutoring, attending prom, and purchasing yearbooks due to their lack of personal funds. The grant from the Hope for Children Fund will allow our youth to participate in these and other activities that are considered milestones or otherwise important high school experiences.

The Supervised Independent Living Program serves youth (ages 16-21) and their children with overarching goals that include high school completion and post-secondary training according to the youth’s employment goals; stable employment; the establishment of supportive connections within the community to sustain independence; and discharge to stable housing.

Founded in 2002, the Delaware County Community Foundation (DCCF) supports charitable giving in the county through grantmaking, charitable vehicles, fund management, and community resources. DCCF works closely with professional advisors, individuals, families, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and other foundations in creating funds that facilitate their philanthropic giving. For more information, visit www.delcocf.org or call 610-892-8620.

Photo: Steven R. Derby (Board of Directors, DCCF), Lori Hooper (Program Coordinator, VYH), Harrison Fertig (Grantwriter, VYH), Anthony J. Mitchell (Assistant Treasurer, DCCF), Lydia Holiat (Secretary, DCCF)