Youth Empowerment and Action Grants

To provide accessible and free after-school STEM engagement opportunities for elementary school students and to develop leadership and group management skills for high school volunteers.

For middle school SAFE (Students Advocating For Equity) members to connect with college students and young adults in the Corvallis Climbers of Color (CCOC) at Valley Rock Gym. CCOC is an organization rooted in creating access and community within climbing and the outdoors for BIPOC in Corvallis and PNW.

To purchase soccer goals for the K-8 school to foster fairness during gameplay, promote active participation during recess, and encourage student relationships and teamwork.

For the Green Team to purchase supplies that will be used to make a cougar—the school mascot—from recycled materials and to increase sustainability efforts by providing lessons on proper recycling and the benefits of repurposing non-recyclable materials.

To purchase a Brent B Pottery Wheel for art students to explore the basics of throwing clay and to broaden the depth of ceramic art education.

To fund a week of cultural celebration that will immerse CHS students in diverse cultures through different traditions surrounding art, music, food, and clothing. The celebration is designed to increase visibility and representation, and to create a safer, more inclusive environment.

To protect the Urban Farm chickens from the elements by purchasing supplies to build a permanent enclosure for them. The project will help protect the chickens from transmissible diseases and provide students experience in carpentry and building.

To host a BIPOC Open Mic Night with a student art gallery to increase awareness of BIPOC musicians, artists, comedians, poets, and other performers.

To promote self-reliance and sustainability through a student-run bike shop to gain experience with bicycle maintenance and repair skills.

To support the CHS Robotics team in purchasing supplies and materials that will increase students’ capacity to design, process, and manufacture designs, and significantly increase the number of students able to participate in gaining real-world experience in commercially used equipment.

To provide financial assistance for CVHS Youth and Government Club members to attend an annual conference in Salem. Students will participate and interact in Oregon’s legislative and lawmaking process and will build skills in problem-solving, speech and debate, and empower the next generation of leaders and lawmakers.

Purchasing essential equipment for FYRE – a student-run journalism club – to enhance their video production capabilities.

Adding an aquarium in the school’s art room to provide students with a relaxing and inspiring atmosphere and a unique opportunity to observe and engage with aquatic life.

Installing an outdoor volleyball net and providing volleyballs to expand recreational options and increase physical activity for students during recess.

Replacing old and unusable soccer goals with new, appropriately sized goals equipped with wheels for enhanced mobility and accessibility.

SAFE (Students Advocating For Equity) leadership to create a mural to foster community, promote visibility and inclusivity for BIPOC students, and provide representation for diverse ethnicities, cultures, and identities.

Purchasing supplies for a pride-themed art installation to foster collaboration and strengthen relationships among LGBTQIA+ students and promote acceptance and inclusivity for all students within the school community.

Creating custom t-shirts for dual language immersion (DLI) students to cultivate a sense of community and raise awareness of the program.

Purchasing modified soccer equipment for the life skills classroom to support and encourage students with disabilities to participate in sports activities and to accommodate a diverse range of needs and abilities.

SAFE (Students Advocating For Equity) students to organize a cultural week to provide students with an immersive experience with a variety of cultures and traditions and to promote appreciation for diverse cultures.

Robotics team to purchase laptops, cables, and monitors for the expansion of the programming team and to facilitate enhanced collaboration and productivity.

Hosting a bridge building & design competition for high school students at an OSU School of Civil and Construction Engineering classroom to inspire students from underrepresented backgrounds to consider a future career in engineering.

Members of the Students for Environmental Action (SEA) club to remove invasive species and replace with native plants, to restore riparian habitats to benefit local wildlife and promote ecological balance.

Removing financial barriers for all CVHS Model United Nations members to attend the Model UN State Conference and ensure equitable access for each student.

Providing scholarships to support low-income robotics members and cover all travel fees to attend the annual FIRST Robotics Competition and Girls Generation Competition.

District-wide Cultural Discovery Children’s Book Project and Cultural Discovery Days to deepen intercultural understanding

Refreshments and local field trips for a new after-school Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) support group for students grades 6–12

Publish print versions of the school’s online magazine for distribution at Crescent Valley High School and Cheldelin Middle School

A student- and teacher-designed mural reflecting the unique, diverse population of the recently renovated school

Seed money to help kick-start fundraising for a more wheelchair-accessible playground

Scenery supplies and costumes for short, student-devised original plays

To be used in conjunction with the Linus Pauling Student Center grant (see below) to provide a calm place for students during the class day

Environmentally sensitive raffle prizes for a Sustainability Dare Week coinciding with Earth Day, during which students and staff will be asked to “stay green,” as well as for a sustainability art contest

Supplies for a student-created mural bringing attention to the threats of climate change

Furniture for the Student Center to make it more attractive and comfortable for students wanting a break

A field trip to expose Career and Technical Education (CTE) students to skill-application possibilities in business and industry

Race-supply rental and t-shirts for a 5K run to raise awareness of missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW) with proceeds going to an MMIW charity. The event will culminate in a celebration of the land-dedication mural funded by a 2022 YEA! Grant.

Banners, posters, and t-shirts, discouraging the use of ethnic and racial slurs as part of a school-wide campaign ending in a “culture week” with ethnic foods

An event for students of color to gather in order to encourage a sense of community and build an increased sense of belonging. Also includes graduation cords for seniors who are finishing high school.

A club using fishing skills to encourage outdoor activity, to teach about conservation, and to help students enjoy and care for the environment.

T-shirts and sweatshirts for Dual Immersion students and instructors at LPMS to celebrate their program and to promote the goal of positive cross-cultural attitudes and behavior.

A mural and plaque to recognize the Native American peoples who lived on land now occupied by CVHS.

Specialized tools for the metal shop to improve efficiency and to increase capacity for hands-on, real-world learning.

Street art at the entrance to a CHS parking lot to highlight diversity and to promote racial equity.

Publication of the first-ever yearbook for CHHS students to celebrate their school community and to increase comradery.