By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
This is the third year for the Heartland Community Foundation's Youth Action Council, which has grown to 45 teenage participants from eight high schools in Ellis, Rooks and Trego counties.
"They have great ideas, and they're excited about their communities. They want to help," said Sarah Meitner, Heartland Community Foundation executive director. "They give me a lot of good energy and feel-good time when I'm with them."
One recent idea is a mural project underway in Damar, which was organized by three members of Palco High School, two of whom just graduated.
Trinity Couse, Lucina Parsons and Kenzie Wells wrote grants to the Office of Rural Prosperity Kansas Department of Commerce and to Heartland Community Foundation and did some additional fundraising.
They've raised more than $12,000 for two building murals, one in Damar and one in Palco. The Heartland grant was for $4,000.
"The painted murals are postcard style, saying 'Welcome to Damar' and 'Welcome to Palco.' They look wonderful," Meitner said of the initial design plan.
"This is a tremendous legacy from these teenagers," she said.
Donors will be recognized on plaques placed at both murals.
The teens meet monthly in their respective counties to talk about different aspects of leadership with adult mentors.
They've learned about organizational tips, grant writing and community engagement.
"Hopefully, we're also instilling in them a sense of rural pride that will stay with them into their adult years," Meitner said. "I'm already eyeing a couple of them as adult board members of the community."
Some original Youth Action Council members have graduated high school and are now attending Fort Hays State University.
There, they started the new Tiger Action Council.
"It's a little bit more informal," Meitner said. "I want them to come in and have a good college experience. But if we can be a resource and be the wind in their wings for their campus or community, we're here to do that. I'm excited to see those kids grow, too."
The Gen-Z members of Tiger Action Council and Youth Action Council, are hands-on, Meitner said.
Between 12 and 27, they've also grown up sharing their experiences on social media.
"It's [still] community-oriented, but definitely a generational shift in how giving looks. ... They want to leave a mark on their communities."
"They want to feel empowered. They want to get their hands dirty. It's not just raising money. They want to raise the money and then go and do the project."
Other projects for the Youth Action Council are underway in Ellis County. Heartland Community Foundation awarded the group $5,000 for their "Bison on the Loose" public art installation project in Hays, Ellis and Victoria.
Heartland awarded the Rooks County Youth Action Council in Plainville $3,838 for raised garden beds and a collaborative project at Red Bud Village.