Youth Foundation
2021-22 Officers
- Chair: Mark McCarley
- Asst. Chair: CJ Shirley
- Secretary: Jake Moore
- Treasurer: Gia Vainisi
- Asst. Treasurer: Vishnu Gadepaili
- Historian: Abigail Maddox
- Asst. Historian: Ruth Andrews
2021-22 Officers
- Chair: Mark McCarley
- Asst. Chair: CJ Shirley
- Secretary: Jake Moore
- Asst. Secretary: Jasmier Coleman
- Treasurer: Gia Vainisi
- Asst. Treasurer: Vishnu Gadepaili
- Historian: Abigail Maddox
- Asst. Historian: Ruth Andrews
NEMYF Facts
NEMYF was established in 2001 to involve young people in community development. NEMYF consists of 45-60 11th & 12th graders from 17 counties of Northeast Mississippi. NEMYF allows students to make a difference, be philanthropists, meet other teenagers, learn more about northeast Mississippi, develop leadership skills, lead fundraising, and award grants. NEMYF has an endowment fund that currently stands around $175,000 all of which was raised by the students!Â
During the fall semester, students focus on developing their own leadership and fundraising skills. They then work to set and reach a fundraising goal. In the spring semester, students identify nonprofits in their home counties, share information about the programs they provide, and vote to allocate grant funds. They also host a press conference to present these organizations with the funds and share an update on their endowment.
Other activities include:Â
- September kickoff meeting focused on learning about NEMYF and getting to know board members from across Northeast Mississippi
- October board retreat with Rory Tyer (GoInnovation) focused on leadership development
- December holiday party and service project
- Fundraising for the NEMYF Endowment
- Identifying worthwhile nonprofits and voting to distribute grants in our region
- Having lots of fun while putting time and efforts towards an awesome organization!
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Hassll Franklin
AMber McHenry
Dr. Bruce Longest
Bob and Sharon parke
John Rimoldi
Brooks Grocery
New Albany Band
Gum Tree Mortgage
The NEMYF board members would also like to thank the other 48 individuals and organizations that provided funding for the 2021-2022SY. Overall, the 21-22SY NEMYF board raised $6,128.19.
2022 NEMYF Grants
Alcorn & Tishomingo
(2 counties contributing)
Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Mississippi (Corinth and Iuka Clubs)
Grant Amount – $920
Clubs offer a variety of tested, proven, and nationally recognized programs designed to empower kids and teens to excel in school, become good community members and lead healthy, productive lives.
Calhoun & Clay
Â
(2 counties contributing)
Sally Kate Winters Children’s Home
Grant Amount – $920
The mission of the program is to offer the gift of humanity, love, and respect to children traumatized by child abuse and neglect. They take in children, give them a house, clothes, and an education until they can find a good foster home.
Chickasaw
Mission Okolona
Grant Amount – $460
In the spirit of Jesus Christ, whose directives compel us, Mission Okolona’s purpose is to distribute available food to the needy in Okolona and surrounding counties.
Itawamba
Crossroads Ranch
Grant Amount – $460
To provide high functioning, special needs adults a safe, loving environment with supervised independence. Our goal is to provide activities and learning experiences which will focus on each resident’s abilities, rather than disabilities.
Lafayette
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of North Mississippi
Grant Amount – $460
Advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children through the service of trained, court-appointed community volunteers.
Lee
Regional Rehabilitation Center
Grant Amount – $460
Provides outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, dyslexia treatment, audiology services, and early childhood intervention to the communities of North Mississippi. As a privately funded nonprofit, RRC does not charge clients or their insurance companies.Â
Lowndes
Life Choices Pregnancy Center
Grant Amount – $460
An unplanned pregnancy can be tough, but not as tough as you are. Whether you feel overwhelmed, confused, excited, or more, we’re here to help! We offer free and confidential pregnancy services so you can make an empowered choice about your life and future.
Pontotoc
Churches United Food Depot
Grant Amount – $460
We provide nutritional food to residents of Pontotoc County who are in need.
Tippah
My Choices Clinic
Grant Amount – $460
An outreach ministry committed to presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ to women with crisis pregnancies in both word and deed.
Union
Agape Clinic
Grant Amount – $460
To share the love of Christ by providing free health care to those without medical insurance.
NEMYF BOARD MEMBERS 2021-2022
Alcorn
Takhia Crump
Tiffany Nhek
Parker LeGoff
Mollee Manahan
Brady Talley
Calhoun
Emmie Shaw
Abigail Maddox
Rena Claire Perkins
Kylie McGinnis
Chickasaw
Ollie Franklin
Leah Moore
Clay
Jeremiah Carter
Ruth Andrews
Itawamba
Tannar Broadway
Lia Darracott
Lafayette
Ginny Ross Fair
Lee
Jay Rutherford
Jayden Gray
Nan Pittman
Keili Ikemori
Connor McHenry
Olivia Hanby
Eron Hendrix
Batton Barber
Lowndes
Laila Sparks
Ben Campbell
Vishnu Sai Gadepaili
Monroe
Kyra Howard
Oktibbeha
Harris Ruffin
Pontotoc
Elizabeth Hale
Alauna Myhand
Joseph Henry
Dawson Suggs
Prentiss
Tippah
Rebecca Salinas
Tishomingo
Sarah Grace Barnes
Claire-Mann Taylor
Mark McCarley
Curt Carman
Audrey Williams
Union
Anna Liz Ray
John Bailey Meinz
Gia Vainisi
Sarah Robbins
Katie Evans
Janiya Rutherford
Jake Moore
Ashlyn Brown
Caroline Nelle Boatwright
CJ Shirley
NEMYF Fall Retreat 2021
