Youth-Led Philanthropy: Sturgis and Constantine YACs Support Community Projects with $32,814
The Sturgis and Constantine Youth Advisory Councils (YACs) continue to demonstrate their commitment to empowering young people and addressing community needs. During the fall/winter grant cycle, the two councils awarded a total of $32,814 to fund youth-focused initiatives in their communities. This process not only supports valuable projects but also equips YAC members with leadership skills, critical thinking, and a sense of responsibility.
Sturgis YAC Recipients
Doyle Community Center
Family/Child Doyle Events
The Doyle Community Center plans to host three family-focused events: Santa Workshop, Mom and Son Night, and Date With Dad. These events target children and families from Sturgis and surrounding communities, providing safe, memorable opportunities for bonding. Activities range from holiday-themed crafts to sports and dances, with funds covering decorations, snacks, supplies, and entertainment. The events aim to strengthen family connections and foster community engagement.

Camp Fort Hill
Lodge, Bunkhouse, Pavillion and Nature Center Renovation Project
Camp Fort Hill seeks to renovate its Lodge, bunkhouses, pavilion, Mort’s Cabin, and Nature Center. These facilities have served the community for nearly a century, providing educational and recreational opportunities. The renovations include replacing roofs, repairing structures, repainting, and updating interiors to ensure safety, durability, and comfort. These upgrades will preserve Camp Fort Hill as a vital resource for youth and families, supporting outdoor education, team-building, and community bonding experiences.
Children’s Trauma Assessment Group (CTAG) of St. Joseph County
Creating Informed Schools
CTAG is working to train school staff in understanding and supporting students who have experienced trauma. The initiative builds on CTAG’s work of assessing and guiding children through trauma recovery by bridging the gap between clinical insights and educational settings. Funds will support a school social worker who trains educators to implement strategies that promote positive outcomes for affected students. This project directly and indirectly benefits youth by improving the school environment for all.
Sturgis Helping Hands
Weekend Food Bags Program
Sturgis Helping Hands provides weekend food bags for PK-8 students in Sturgis Public Schools who face food insecurity. The program distributes approximately 100 bags weekly, each containing non-perishable items to sustain children over the weekend when school meals are unavailable. By addressing a critical basic need, this initiative aims to improve students’ well-being and academic performance.
Sturgis High School
SHS Key Club
The Sturgis High School Key Club supports leadership and community service activities for its 120 members. The club engages students in service projects benefiting local organizations, such as schools, libraries, and senior centers. Funds will cover graduation cords, plaques for senior recognition, and transportation for new initiatives like hospital visits and charity drives. This support ensures the club can continue to empower students while positively impacting the community.
Eastwood Elementary School
Author Visit
Eastwood Elementary is creating an exciting opportunity to ignite a passion for reading and writing among its 650 students with a visit from acclaimed author Jonathan Rand. Known for his popular Michigan Chillers and American Chillers series, Rand will engage students during “March is Reading Month” with an interactive presentation and book signing.
Constantine YAC Recipients
Eastside Elementary
Alternative Seating and Attention Tools
Eastside Elementary’s second-grade classroom plans to introduce alternative seating and attention tools to support students who struggle with focus and concentration. Items like wobble stools, textured cushions, and standing desks will allow students to engage in subtle movements, aiding their ability to stay attentive without disrupting the classroom environment. By creating a flexible and accommodating learning space, this project empowers all students to succeed academically and socially.
Constantine High School
Museum of Science and Industry
Students in the Medical Interventions class at Constantine High School will be taking a field trip to Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry to view the Prenatal Development exhibit. This display features a timeline of human embryos and fetuses, providing a rare, tangible perspective on topics studied in their curriculum, such as reproductive technologies and genetic therapies. The grant will cover travel and admission costs, enabling students to connect classroom concepts to real-world science in an engaging and meaningful way.
Constantine High School
Constantine Girls Basketball
The Constantine High School Girls Basketball teams (JV and Varsity) are organizing a trip to Buckley, MI, for pre-season scrimmages and team-building activities. The trip includes a stay in local cabins and a visit to Traverse City during its annual light parade and festivities.
Constantine Middle School
Hydroponics in the Classroom
Constantine Middle School’s sixth-grade science students will learn about sustainable agriculture and scientific processes through a classroom hydroponic growing system. This project teaches gardening without soil, emphasizing water conservation, faster crop growth, and year-round cultivation. Students will conduct research on nutrient needs, take water sample readings, and adjust growing conditions to optimize plant health. The project not only aligns with science curriculum standards, such as ecosystems and photosynthesis, but also equips students with valuable life skills.
Constantine Middle School
Middle School Special Education Program
A special education classroom at Constantine Middle School seeks to enhance students’ life skills and socialization through hands-on activities and community outings. The funds will provide groceries, cooking utensils, and other kitchen supplies for practical lessons on meal preparation. Students will also participate in monthly outings to practice budgeting, grocery shopping, and dining in restaurants, linking classroom learning with real-world applications. These experiences are designed to encourage independence and confidence in students, many of whom face challenges in traditional learning environments.
Constantine Middle School
Ratio Life Experience
Sixth-grade students at Constantine Middle School will apply math concepts to real-life scenarios through a field trip to Meijer in Three Rivers. During the trip, students will calculate ratios, unit rates, and percentages by analyzing prices and discounts in the store. Following this, students will pool their budgets to plan and purchase a healthy lunch that aligns with the Healthy Plate guidelines. This hands-on experience brings classroom lessons to life, enhancing students’ financial literacy and decision-making skills while fostering collaboration and problem-solving.
Constantine Middle School
Classroom Headphones
An eighth-grade classroom at Constantine Middle School will receive a set of 30 headphones to support new technology-based programs and state testing requirements. Many classroom activities involve audio components, and the headphones will ensure all students, including those without their own earbuds, can fully participate. The wired headphones also meet testing requirements, providing a practical and equitable solution for classroom needs. This grant will enhance the learning experience for approximately 100 students by facilitating uninterrupted access to educational resources.
The Sturgis Area Community Foundation is a $30M foundation committed to serving the charitable needs of our community and enriching the quality of life for all people in the Sturgis area. Through philanthropic services, strategic investments, and community leadership, the Sturgis Area Community Foundation helps people support the causes they care about now and for generations.
For more information on grants or donor services, email sacf@sturgisfoundation.org.