NORWICH – Three Chenango County based nonprofit agencies have been awarded supplemental grant funds thanks to the unyielding commitment of a unique group of high school students who are dedicated to making a positive change in their community.

Under direction of the Chenango County United Way, and with additional monetary support from the Foundation for South Central New York, the ten Norwich high school students who make up the Youth Philanthropy Council (YPC) recently announced recipients of this year’s allocations at a special reception held at the Norwich High School last week. This year’s grant recipients include: the Chenango Arts Council ($4,550); Catholic Charities Crime Victims Program ($4,250); and Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County ($1,200).

YPC is bestowed a total $10,000 in grant funds to disperse among three Chenango County nonprofit organizations of thier choosing each year - $5,000 from the Chenango United Way and $5,000 donated by the Community Foundation of South Central New York. The mission, said YPC advisor Susan Fertig, is to teach students the value of community action while instilling a greater sense of the needs of the area.

“Youth Philanthropy Council exists to teach local youth the importance and impact of philanthropy, to develop youth leadership skills, to increase understanding of the nonprofit sector, and to better understand the critical needs of Chenango County,” Fertig said.