Committee splits $10,000 in youth-diversion funds among six local programs

The Stephenson County Support Services Committee voted April 8 to divide $10,000 in available youth-diversion funding equally among six local nonprofit programs, following presentations from applicants and a short committee discussion.

Committee members began new business by inviting several organizations to describe how they would use grant funds. William Brown, founder and executive director of I Hope Freeport, asked for $5,500 for a ‘‘check-in mentoring’’ program for fourth–sixth graders run at the Boys & Girls Club, describing the program as focused on "emotional intelligence, conflict resolution" and family engagement. Brown said the program currently relies on volunteers and that staff had rearranged some line items in the submitted budget.

Voices of Stephenson County staff described a free youth-development summer camp that the nonprofit said would cost about $13,000 to run. Jack Rhysek, Voices’ prevention and training coordinator, said the organization plans a capped elementary camp for 50 children, a junior-high session for 30 and a one-week high-school leadership track for 12. "Our camp is completely free," Rhysek said, and he noted the program includes prevention education and meals. Julie Hillier of Voices added that State Bank Foundation has pledged funds to cover mentor stipends.

Other applicants included a music-based mentoring program (the YES Club / Sounds of Good News), an application packet for Hope Wins (a letter from Lindsey McDaniel was read by a committee member), RAMP (packet-reviewed in absentia), and the Boys & Girls Club (no representative present). Packet materials reflected a range of requests: I Hope Freeport asked for $5,500; Voices listed roughly $13,000 in projected camp costs; Hope Wins’ materials included a requested amount of $200,000 in its application materials; RAMP’s packet noted a $2,000 request against a $39,000 total project budget; one arts/mentoring presenter recalled previous awards of $2,500 in earlier cycles. The committee clarified that only about $10,000 was available for distribution from this fund this cycle.

Committee members discussed whether to fully fund a few programs or to spread limited funds across all applicants. One member proposed splitting the $10,000 equally among the six organizations so each would receive some support. The motion to "divide the $10,000 by six" was moved and seconded; the committee approved the motion by voice vote and instructed staff to proceed with equal disbursements. Committee members estimated each organization would receive about $1,660 under that division.

The committee did not record a roll-call vote or individual tallies in the transcript; members voted by voice and the chair announced the motion passed. The decision was procedural and provided short-term support to each applicant rather than fully funding larger requests such as the Hope Wins packet. The meeting record shows the committee intends to distribute six equal amounts from the $10,000 allocation and encouraged community members to consider private donations to supplement programs.

Next steps: staff were directed to implement the equal disbursement. The committee also discussed adjusting the application timeline in future cycles—moving the review and award to allow more time for follow-up questions with applicants. The meeting adjourned after the vote.