Florida Youth Foundation- Youth Investment Awards

The Youth Investment Award (YIA), originally made possible by a grant through the Eckerd Family Foundation, is our primary program. YIA assists youth who are or were served by DJJ. Often times, these kids make a mistake that will now affect them for the rest of their lives – mistakes that are more times than not the result of not having a support system at home which may lead to hanging around with the wrong crowd or getting involved with drugs.

YIA may be requested to assist with the next step essential to academic achievement or workforce readiness which cannot be met through any other available resources essential to the youth’s success. Awards may contribute to tuition for post-secondary education, supplies, transportation, education or employability assistance with funding made directly to the vendor.

YIA assists in getting youth “back on track” and making positive changes and choices in their lives. It could be as simple as paying for a state ID card so the youth can apply for employment. Or, providing bus passes so they can get to that job. We have kids that need their GED test fees paid as well as kids who are looking to FYF to help with college expenses.