At Massachusetts Youth Leadership Foundation, we have always focused on bettering Massachusetts communities by empowering student leaders to take initiative and find creative solutions to problems they identify in their schools, towns and cities. 

The MassSTAR Empowered Citizen Grants Program presents the opportunity for young leaders to develop a community service project from start to finish and make a real improvement in their community.  Young leaders who have attended any MassSTAR Conference may complete the initial application.  Once the applications are received, the MYLF Board of Directors will review the applications and select a group of semifinalists.  The semi finalists will have the opportunity to further develop the design for their service project and submit a proposal for the MassSTAR Empowered Citizen Grants.  Finalists will present their ideas before a panel of MYLF and community leaders. 

The Massachussets Youth Leadership Foundation was proud to award our 2010 MassSTAR Empowered Citizen Grant to Summer Moukalled ’06.  Summer is an outstanding example of positive mental attitude and very deserving of this year’s award. Summer will be running the "Kids to College" initiative out of the Holyoke Health Center.  Her aim is to provide the support and resources necessary to prepare underprivileged students to apply and be accepted to college.  She has a great plan of action and will be needing additional volunteers to provide tutoring and support. 
 
Her program will tutor and mentor students who are interested in attending college; walking them through the process and providing support. Please contact Summer through the MassSTAR Alumni Association if you are interested in getting involved.