Seeking teen philanthropists

The Westfield Area Youth Volunteer Experience (WAYVE) Program is accepting applications for the 2019 WAYVE Teen Philanthropy Board.

“The WAYVE Teen Philanthropy Program seeks to educate teens on the vital roles that non-profit agencies play in improving the lives of the residents of Union County, by walking the teens, step-by-step, through the entire grant review process,” said program director Jill Dispenza.

WAYVE is made possible through a grant from the Westfield Foundation and is coordinated by Jewish Family Service of Central NJ (JFSCNJ). Prospective Teen Philanthropy board members are expected to fill out an application expressing their interest in the program, and make a one-time donation of $300 each to serve on the board; limited scholarships will be available. The donations will be used to partially fund the grants.

The program is open to high school students in their freshman through junior years who reside in Westfield or neighboring areas. Once accepted, the participants are expected to attend all six meetings at The Westfield Foundation beginning on March 11 and continuing on March 25, April 29, and May 6 and 13, ending with the announcement of grant recipients on May 20. Meetings will be held at 7 p.m.

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The Teen Philanthropy Board will be mentored by JFSCNJ executive director Tom Beck, Westfield Foundation president Janet Sarkos, and Westfield community leader Darielle Walsh.

Prospective applicants should email WAYVE@jfscentralnj.org for an online link to the application. For more information, visit the WAYVE Facebook and Instagram page and search the hashtag #ridethewayve.