YACC is back

After a four-year hiatus, YACC is back.

The group Youth Answering the Call of the Community, or YACC, has been a part of the Union County volunteer sphere since its founding in 1999. Supported by Indiana-based company Dekko Foundation, YACC is a youth organization focused on teaching philanthropy to students in eighth through 12th grade.

“Students from Union County who are interested in giving back to the community through their time, talent, treasure and testimony, that’s kind of what we teach them philanthropy means,” Reagan Brown, YACC adult mentor (or Navigator), said.

Along with volunteering and physically helping those in the community, YACC students are able to give monetary donations as well, thanks to money from Dekko Foundation.

“The Dekko Foundation actually gives each youth pod different amounts of money, but usually somewhere around $15,000 a year to give to different grant projects and organizations in the community to just help make the community a better place,” Brown said.

YACC meetings are on Wednesdays, either in the morning or afternoon depending on the day, with students attending from all Union County Schools. Despite taking place during the school days, Brown said schools are very willing to accommodate.

“The schools are all really supportive of YACC,” Brown said. “They let the kids out of school. We do actually give money to teachers sometimes for different, like if they apply for a grant for classroom supplies or something for their classroom. I think the schools seem excited to have YACC back and have the kids involved in something like this again.”

Led by students, Brown said YACC is an opportunity for students to get involved in their community while making a difference.

Creston junior Christian White found out about the program through his mother, a Navigator for YACC.

“I applied for it and now I’ve gotten with this group and it’s been really fun to learn and grow, connecting with different schools, especially Afton,” White said. “You know of them but you don’t know them, so getting to have that relationship is really good, and knowing the reason why we’re here, to serve others, it’s been really cool to learn how philanthropy works.”

East Union eight grader Cyler Wuebker is excited to participate in YACC after seeing his older sister do so in the past.

“My sister did it before it had its shutdown, so I already knew a little bit about it,” Wuebker said. “I’m looking forward to being able to help the community and assist with needs and give back to people. I find that it makes you feel really good if you do it.”

East Union freshman Chloe Parker is looking forward to feeling like an important member of the community.

“Being more included in the community and feeling like I actually have an opinion in it... I feel like when you’re giving stuff, you’re more seen, so with us being so young, we get more of an opinion,” Parker said.

Interested students have until Friday to apply to be a member of YACC. Those interested should message YACC on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/YouthAnsweringtheCalloftheCommunity) and convey their interest.

Brown said that she’s excited to see what YACC will become, and is thankful for the community support so far.

“[I want to] give a shout out to the Creston Arts Center for letting us use the facility and the community support,” Brown said. “The community seems really excited to have YACC back and we’re really excited to help make a difference in the community.”