Board Chairman Michael J. Gingell (R) announced that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners is launching a new collaborative effort in conjunction with Oakland County Youth Assistance to offer at-risk young people with positive experiences, skill building and personal development.
The Youth Enrichment Scholarship program will allow recipients to receive up to $500 for activities that will:
- Encourage the individual student’s ability to succeed in or connect to school,
- Encourage the student to be exposed to and develop new skills,
- Prepare students for work or college,
- Allow students to attend summer camp that addresses a special need.
Oakland County Youth Assistance, in conjunction with local Youth Assistance organizations throughout Oakland County will administer the program. Eligible recipients include individuals with cases referred to Youth Assistance, those who participate in the Youth Assistance Mentors Plus Program, as well as those individuals, who are currently on probation or are in the Juvenile Re-Entry Program.
Board Chairman Michael J. Gingell stated, “This new program is a wise investment in Oakland County’s youth. We will be reaching young people who have started down the wrong path in life to show them a better way. Through exposure to positive role models, skill building and personal development experiences, we can give these young people hope for a brighter future.”
“We know that the more we can connect youth to positive activities, the less likely they are to get in trouble. I am excited to have the opportunity to help youth find something positive to be passionate about,” stated Mary Schusterbauer, Chief of Oakland County Youth Assistance.
The Board of Commissioners authorized up to $23,000 in scholarship funds for the program. The funding from the program has been provided from royalties from the Board of Commissioners Discount Prescription Drug Card program. No taxpayer funds will be utilized.
Oakland County Board Chairman Michael J. Gingell is a Republican. He represents the communities of Auburn Hills, Orion Township, the Village of Lake Orion, the City of Lake Angelus and Independence Township in District #1. Chairman Gingell was elected to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners in 2006 and has served for almost a decade on the Board.
Oakland County Youth Assistance is a national model of inter-governmental collaboration for the prevention of delinquency, neglect, and abuse. There is a Youth Assistance office in every community in Oakland County. To learn more, visit www.oakgov.com/ya.
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