The Fontana Community Foundation (FCF) has just received word that it is the recipient of a $10,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation, as part of their efforts to further high school retention and college and workforce readiness programs.

The grant monies will be used by the FCF to support the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council (MYAC), a community and civic leadership/training program for Fontana teens. Dedicated to bettering the City, the participants in the program work side-by-side with the Fontana City Council and learn leadership, local governance and organizational skills while taking an active role in addressing youth issues.

Middle and high school students are selected to serve as volunteer representatives of Fontana’s youth and serve on the MYAC. The MYAC is specifically tasked with helping the Fontana City Council and City staff to improve its youth oriented efforts and create programs that appeal to middle and high schoolers.

One of the City of Fontana events with which MYAC plays a vital role in planning and implementing is the City’s annual Teen Fest Career Fair. For this special event, MYAC works to get local colleges, vocational schools, and employers to attend; thus giving Fontana’s teens the chance to speak one-on-one with recruiters and employers regarding what they look for in prospective candidates.

In addition to the opportunity to speak with and learn from college, vocational school and employer representatives, the MYAC provides a number of unique opportunities to connect with and learn from a variety of organizations and community groups (e.g., Rotary, Kiwanis, Women’s Club, Regional Occupation Programs, FAFSA workshops, scholarships and programs).

In its second year, the MYAC has already demonstrated incredible success. Last year, the 20 MYAC members volunteered a total of 2,114 hours. Twelve of the 15 MYAC members from last year’s program who graduated from high school are now currently enrolled in an institution of higher learning. Last year, the MYAC conducted 35 speaking engagements at various middle schools, high schools, Southern California Teen Coalition Teen Board Exchanges, and City special events to promote City teen events. The MYAC has participated in the pre-planning, organization and implementation of 12 Teen Center events (e.g., dances, holiday events and After School Program events), providing appropriate and safe ways for the City’s young population to engage with peers. Most importantly, MYAC members have learned that despite their youth, they are citizens, have a voice, and can truly make an impact in their community.

As Fontana’s Mayor Mark Nuaimi said recently when presenting a Certificate of Appreciation to the MYAC, “At a time when many fear what the future may hold, we are proud to acknowledge that it is destined to be bright due to the persistence and determination of these talented youth.”

To learn more about the MYAC program, contact Mariana Mitchell, community services supervisor at (909) 349-6935. To learn about the various ways you can help support the Fontana Community Foundation, contact Kathleen Fariss, director of development, at (909) 350-6586 or

About the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council
The City of Fontana strives to give the MYAC a true glimpse into the workings of a public committee, and thus uses Roberts Rules of Order, Minutes and Agendas, motions, and the like. The overall goal of the MYAC program is to provide an accurate view of local governance and how citizens of a city can work collaboratively to better a community, and specifically how teens can engage other teens in positive and constructive learning experiences. The MYAC operates with a Board of Directors - six teens voted into their positions by their peers on the Council. The Board of Directors includes a Chairperson, Assistant Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, Sergeant at Arms, and Parent Liaison.

The City of Fontana instituted the MYAC program in 2007. In its first year, the MYAC had 20 members. For 2009, the MYAC is comprised of 32 members. The MYAC meets at least once a month, and each member is appointed in the summer for a one-year term. Sub-committees are also formed to address specific issues or to further facilitate the planning and implementation of MYAC led events. Members are also asked to attend at least 60 percent of the programs, events, and or meetings organized. Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council members must maintain a Grade Point Average of at least 2.3 during their time on the Council.

Many of the events planned for youth by the MYAC have become an integral part of the City of Fontana's award winning community programs and events, including the 4th of July spectacular, Cruise Night, Variety Night, Fontana Day’s Run, Community Clean up Day, Canned Food/Toy Drive, and the Halloween Carnival.

About the Fontana Community Foundation
The mission of the Fontana Community Foundation is to provide financial support for public services that enhance the quality of life and preserve and promote the health and welfare and education of the City of Fontana citizenry.

In an effort to achieve its mission, the Fontana Community Foundation works to:

• lessen the burdens of government by aiding and assisting in the implementation, improvement, and maintenance of public services that preserve and promote the health and welfare and education of local citizenry of the City of Fontana;
• form unincorporated divisions responsible for furtherance of one or more of such public services as deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors of this Foundation; and,
• to receive, invest, and utilize funds and property acquired through the solicitation of contributions, donations, grants, gifts, bequests and the like for the purposes for which this Foundation is formed.