Coahoma Community College (CCC) is excited to announce that it received a $20,000 grant from The Allstate Foundation in collaboration with the Center for Expanding Leadership & Opportunity (CELO) to support youth-led, youth-driven community service among students. This grant is part of The Allstate Foundation’s national efforts to transform how we engage, equip, and prepare youth to serve and improve communities.
The "Return to Service" initiative underscores the pivotal role that community service plays in youth development. By engaging in a wide range of participatory service experiences, from volunteerism to civic engagement, students can enhance their leadership skills, social trust, and overall well-being. The initiative provides stimulus funding to support youth-led, youth-driven community service projects, fostering a culture of civic engagement and social responsibility among young adults.
The grant funding enhanced the ability of CCC students to engage in youth-led, youth-driven community service projects. This grant from The Allstate Foundation funded various youth-led service initiatives at CCC. These initiatives included mini-grants to stimulate new service projects as well as support for existing youth-led service programs. However, the impact of this funding goes far beyond just the CCC campus.
Through The Allstate Foundation’s grant funding, students conducted park and recreational space clean-ups in a region where support for these spaces is limited. They also worked with local governments to identify how community spaces could be improved to encourage greater use. CCC students delivered on those insights installing park benches, picnic tables, and other elements to bring the community together.
“The Allstate Foundation supports organizations like Coahoma Community College which play an indispensable role in reinforcing the significance of youth-led service and equipping young people with the vital tools needed to serve their communities,” said Greg Weatherford II, Youth Empowerment Program Officer for The Allstate Foundation. “We hope Coahoma Community College’s efforts continue to inspire more youth to serve and accelerate positive change where they live and beyond.”
Coahoma Community College has a rich history of fostering educational excellence and community engagement. The college is dedicated to providing high-quality education and empowering students to achieve their full potential. Through this grant with The Allstate Foundation, CCC reaffirms its commitment to creating transformative opportunities for its students and the wider community.
CCC Director of Student Engagement Services, Karen Woods-Done shared, “There is no greater investment than in our youth. These funds helped increase our students’ belief in their ability to positively contribute to their communities in tangible ways.”
Coahoma Community College is proud to partner with The Allstate Foundation and CELO to advance youth-led community service. This initiative not only empowers students but also strengthens the bonds between the college and the community, creating a positive, lasting impact.
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