The Milford Youth Center is very excited to receive a $5,000 grant from the Foundation for MetroWest’s 2021-2022 Youth Development Grant Process to create a life skills workshop at the Center. The “Life Skills” Workshops will have a specified curriculum and related project for each workshop, related to a variety of different trades and skills. With this funding, the Center will be able to incorporate at least 10 workshops, one each month of our 10-month, free after school program, starting in September of 2022! This grant was written in honor of Ron Taylor, known as “Ron the Tool Man Taylor” to former and current MYC staff, who become such an integral and beloved volunteer and then board member. Ron not only helped MYC staff with a variety of different building projects but he also ran classes with our kids, like woodworking. Unfortunately, Ron was dealt a tough break and he was diagnosed with Merkel Cell Carcinoma in September of 2020, a very rare and aggressive cancer, in which he passed from in December of 2021. Before his passing, Ron requested that a program at the Center be created where kids can continue to work with different skills and trades, like he did in the past, because maybe it could help others who may not find traditional learning to come easy to them. He was very aware and humbled by the help that he got when he was younger, which allowed him to create a wonderful life for his family and a life full of paying it forward to others. Without the support of The Foundation of MetroWest and the Youth in Philanthropy students who reviewed and recommended our grant for funding, this program would not be able to come to fruition and for that we are very grateful. We would like to thank the volunteer grant writer, Francoise Elisa, for working with the Director of the Center on bringing this idea to life and for collaborating on the grant proposal! For video tribute to Ron, click here: https://fb.watch/dcGYRWim5K/
About Milford Youth Center: The mission of the Milford Youth Center (MYC) is to provide a safe environment that promotes self-esteem, builds character, and fosters the notion of community and the importance of respecting and serving others. The MYC works together with other community organizations to provide resources and opportunities for youth to make healthy decisions. The MYC works to provide local youth with the necessary activities and events that help them develop physically, mentally, socially and emotionally through their childhood years. By providing Milford youth with these types of programs and a safe environment during the after school hours and during our monthly events, we hope to address adolescent risk factors as well as promoting the partnership among community members to ensure a comprehensive vision and plan for the health of the youth in the town of Milford.
About Foundation for MetroWest: Established in 1995, the Foundation for MetroWest is the only community foundation serving the 33 cities and towns in the region. We promote philanthropy in the region, help donors maximize the impact of their local giving, serve as a resource for local nonprofits and enhance the quality of life for all our residents. Since inception, the Foundation has granted $19 million to charitable organizations and currently stewards more than $26 million in charitable assets for current needs and future impact. To learn more, please visit www.foundationformetrowest.org or call 508-647-2260.