The DeKalb Township Committee on Youth is currently accepting grant applications for organization providing programming or services that help battle juvenile delinquency within DeKalb Township. Up to $500 may be awarded to organizations who apply. Members of the Township Committee on Youth meet monthly to review and vote on applications. Applications are reviewed in the order they are submitted and there is no deadline to submit an application and will be reviewed at the meeting following its submission. Applications can be downloaded from the DeKalb Township website and are found under the “Town Board” tab.
By law Illinois Townships are allowed to establish committees on youth that may provide programs to combat and prevent juvenile delinquency. Members of the committee are appointed by the Township Supervisor and approved by the Township Board. A township committee on youth must be composed of not less than five members who serve three year staggered terms. Committee members are not paid for their service on the committee. With the approval of the township board the committee may cooperate with any other local government entity, organization, agency, or persons in the fostering, development, and provision of local programs designed to prevent juvenile delinquency and to meet the needs of local youths.
After meeting with Supervisors from other townships in Illinois Eric Johnson wanted DeKalb Township to join the list of townships that have a committee on youth. DeKalb Township is considered a large township and has approximately 47,000 residents.
At its April 2012 meeting the DeKalb Township Board established the DeKalb Township Committee on Youth. The mission statement of the DeKalb Township Committee on Youth is to advise the Township Board on the provision of programs and services to combat and prevent juvenile delinquency and provide for the well-being of underserved and underprivileged youth and their families who reside in DeKalb Township through partnerships, or the creation or funding of youth activities.
Since that time the committee members have been selected and approved by the Township Board. Tim Vincent, principal at Clinton Rosette Middle School, was chosen to be the committee’s chair. Eric Johnson said “Tim Vincent and the rest of the committee have done a great job in developing a grant process that will help kids in our community. I am thankfully to him and all the committee members for the time they have committed to this project.”
Johnson said “one aspect of the committee on youth is designed to get underprivileged children into youth programing that might not otherwise be available without the extra financial assistance we can provide.” Prior to becoming Township Supervisor Johnson served as a law clerk for the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s office where he was assigned to a juvenile courtroom. “We know that children participating in structured programs such as sports, clubs, or afterschool programs are less likely to get into trouble, ” Johnson added “I got to see first-hand what happens to children who end up in our court system and anything we can do at the township to prevent juvenile delinquency is a good thing” said Johnson.
For questions about the grant application process contact Supervisor Eric Johnson at 815-758-8282.
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