The newest cohort of the Berrien Community Foundation’s youth advisory council has been launched.
BCF Program Director Susan Matheny tells us Teens Exhibiting Able Minds, or TEAM, works with non-profits and promotes causes to the foundation leadership.
“TEAM has made just over $1 million in grants since their inception in the 90s,” Matheny said. “So, just by the numbers, the dollar amounts, they have made a difference.”
Matheny says TEAMs is made up of young people from all over Berrien County. They typically serve from the eighth grade to graduation.
“We feel like we’re teaching leadership and compassion skills and showing young people how your voice and what you do matters in the community. You can make a difference in the community. You can stand up and do something about things that you don’t think are right or need help.”
The TEAM students travel all over the community to meet with non-profit leaders. They also attend statewide conferences.
Although TEAM’s current year of service has started, recruitment is still open as the group aims to expand.
You can find out more right here.
The 2023-24 cohort of T.E.A.M. members includes:
Daniel McKee, chair (Brandywine High School);
Lauren Laws, vice chair (Watervliet High School);
Josie Balkin, secretary (Our Lady of the Lake High School);
Taylor Watson, communications lead (Berrien Springs High School);
Parker Hume, special projects lead (St. Joseph High School);
Josie Arbanas (Lakeshore High School);
Emma Belin (Berrien Springs High School);
Nora Bomar (Bridgman High School);
Carter Brunke (Bridgman High School);
Alexandra Cervantes (Berrien Springs High School);
Megan Coffinger (Niles High School);
Enilda Davis (Berrien Springs High School);
Elizabeth Fisbeck (St. Joseph High School);
Keeli Frank (Lakeshore High School);
Emery Freeze (Brandywine High School);
Sophia Godush (Lakeshore High School);
Micah Jhala (St. Joseph High School);
Benjamin Jollay (Our Lady of the Lake High School);
Alexander McCully (Niles High School);
Josiah Ntongai (Eau Claire High School);
Amara Olexa (Watervliet High School);
Colton Riggenbach (Niles High School);
Lindsey Salmon (Bridgman High School);
Abbigail Shaw (River Valley High School);
Hannah Tyler (Bridgman High School);
Nevaeh Stone (Benton Harbor High School);
Tyler Valentine (Benton Harbor High School);
Julian Van Plew-Cid (Bridgman High School);
Hannah Wier (St. Joseph High School);
Zoe Williams (Benton Harbor High School)
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