High school students serving on the YEP 2.Pro Committee recently awarded a $5,000 grant to Family Service Agency (FSA) to support programming that addresses youth mental health, anxiety, and lack of community involvement in DeKalb County. This year’s 10-member committee focused on two key concerns: youth mental health and anxiety, and the lack of youth involvement in the community. (Pictured: YEP 2.Pro committee member Ana Hall presents a $5,000 grant to Shatoya Jackson of the Family Service Agency.)

FSA representatives presented at the committee’s March 2025 meeting, sharing how the organization would use the grant to tackle these pressing youth issues.

“After thoughtful discussion, our committee felt that supporting Family Service Agency would make the greatest impact,” said Saige Ruback, current YEP 2.Pro member. “Our grant will help launch FSA’s new domestic violence program to assist youth exposed to violence in the home. We’re proud to support their efforts to improve the well-being of youth in DeKalb County.”

YEP 2.Pro is a subcommittee of the DeKalb County Community Foundation’s Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) program. This proactive grantmaking group is composed of juniors and seniors with at least one year of experience in YEP. Members research and explore current youth issues in DeKalb County, select areas of focus, and identify ways to create meaningful change. The group is entirely youth-led and supported by Foundation staff advisors.

Grant funding for YEP 2.Pro comes primarily from the YEP Horizons Unlimited Fund, established in 2021 through a generous gift from Nancy D. Castle and her children. This Fund was created to support YEP’s proactive grantmaking, empowering young people to make decisions that directly impact their peers. Additional contributions are made by donors during Give DeKalb County, further supporting YEP’s mission.

YEP aims to improve the quality of life for youth in the community. The program is open to all high school students in DeKalb County and provides hands-on experience in grantmaking, nonprofit engagement, and leadership development. Members learn about philanthropy and discover the power of their voice in shaping a stronger future.