In discussions with young people from Ypsilanti, Michigan, what surfaces is an ever-present notion of the need for increased resources and youth-driven change initiatives in their community.

The lead partner, Eastern Michigan University, as well as the Ypsilanti School District, both have a strong commitment to service-learning and youth-initiated community efforts. Furthermore, the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, already lives the virtues of youth philanthropy and leadership through its Youth Council The consortium echoes and embraces the enthusiasm and abilities of its founding youth members.

These young people have demonstrated an ability to promote youth philanthropy, youth leadership, and service-learning strategies in their community. As a result, in the last two years, the Ypsilanti Youth Empowered to Act also known as YYEA has made striking advances in the development of their site. They have attained strong relationships with new community, business, and educational organizations. This has given YYEA a powerful support base to continue its work in the two years to come. The focus will be on creating an alliance within the three school districts, sustaining and creating new youth decision making boards, creating healthy partnerships with supportive adults and community members, and continuing the expansion of fund development for YYEA.

The commitment and energy of the consortium and its youth members to "push the limits of youth voice" make Ypsilanti an ideal site for the Youth Fund.