Youth Foundation

NEMYF Facts

NEMYF was established in August 2001 to offer 11th and 12th graders in Northeast Mississippi the opportunity to serve on a youth-directed foundation that offers leadership opportunities and the chance to learn about philanthropy and community involvement. The board consists of around 50 students from among the 17 counties that CREATE serves. NEMYF has an endowment fund — money totally raised by the students — that currently stands at more than $150,000!

During the fall semester, students focus some of their energy on fundraising to build the endowment. Then in the spring, the fun begins! The students submit grant ideas from their home counties, vote on which grants to fund, organize a press conference, and announce how they spent the earnings from their endowment. 

Other activities include: 

• Kicking off the year in the Fall with a retreat at Global Outreach in Pontotoc!
• Organizing a Thanksgiving meal or a food drive for families in need in their home counties
• Organizing a Christmas donation of toys and gifts to local charities that serve children
• Learning about giving back, helping others, and making a difference
• Meeting new friends from throughout the region
• Having a lot of fun!

2021 NEMYF Grants

LEE

Tupelo Children’s Mansion – $715

Our mission is to offer hope through the love of Jesus Christ to orphaned or disadvantaged children by providing their physical, spiritual, emotional, social, and educational needs… contributing to their health, security, and happiness, and equipping them to lead productive lives.

MONROE

Aberdeen Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry – $200

Serves needy families and individuals by providing food and grocery items.

OKTIBEHHA

TK Martin Center at MSU – $715

Ensures that persons with disabilities are able to continually benefit from technological solutions and advances in the field of assistive technology.

PONTOTOC

Pontotoc County Food Pantry – $200

Serves needy families and individuals by providing food and grocery items.

TISHOMINGO

Tishomingo County Food Depot – $715

Provides Tishomingo County residents in need with food baskets once a month to feed themselves and their families.

TIPPAH

Tippah County Good Samaritan Center -$715

We are a supplemental food source for the citizens of Tippah County that meet certain economic criteria.

UNION

Boys and Girls Club of North Mississippi – $715

Our purpose is to provide a safe place for youth to learn and grow. After school and during the summer months, Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County staff engage our members in a fun and educational activities that help develop strong morals, leadership abilities, and directly influence their ability to succeed later in life.

“When the young people in this state realize the opportunities that are here, they will be grateful for what can be accomplished.”  ~George McLean