A group of student leaders is turning civic learning into meaningful community impact through a new initiative designed to make youth sports more accessible across Montgomery County.
The Mayor’s Youth Civic Engagement Council, made up of 36 student representatives, 12 from each of the county’s three high schools, has announced its fall project: the YCEC Youth Sports Closet. The council brings together some of the most motivated and service-minded students in the area, with a mission to better understand how local government works and how community organizations collaborate to serve the citizens of Crawfordsville.
After spending the semester learning about civic systems and exploring local needs, the council identified a common challenge: the financial burden that can prevent children from participating in youth sports.
Their response is both thoughtful and community driven.
The YCEC Youth Sports Closet will provide a centralized space where families can access gently used sports equipment at no cost. To make the project possible, the council has partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Montgomery County, which will house and be a host site for scheduled distribution events.
Each of the three county high schools is organizing its own donation drive, encouraging students and families to contribute items. They are currently collecting items for football and soccer. Cleats, shin guards and practice balls. These donations will then be combined to create a countywide resource that serves families across Montgomery County.
Council advisor Correna Vellner shared her pride in the students’ work.
“Watching these students grow through this experience has been incredibly special,” she said. “They’ve taken the time to really learn about our community, to care about what they found, and then create a plan to make it better. This project is a reflection of their heart for others, and their belief that even as students, they can make a real difference for our community.”
More information about how families can access the YCEC Youth Sports Closet, as well as opportunities to continue donating, will be shared later this summer.
Through initiative, collaboration, and a genuine commitment to service, the council is demonstrating the powerful role young people can play in shaping a stronger, more connected community.
