b'7FALL 2019THE BEAUTY OFFUELED BY AN ABUNDANCE OF TEAMWORK , a group of about 30 high school and college-age students took COLLABORATION part in a seven-week program meant to encourage next generation philanthropy. The Youth Philanthropy Internshipa partnership of The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, The Heinz Endowments and the Community Foundation for the Allegheniesbrings together young people from across western Pennsylvania to address the most pressing issues in their communities.For five weeks, the interns met with local nonprofits and delved into refugee and immigrant assistance, youth advocacy and mentorship, and mental health services. The students developed grant-making priorities, created audio documentaries about their findings and provided more than 400 hours of volunteer service. Then they convened on July 26 at CFWC for a Youth Philanthropy Summit to share ideas. The group recommended $170,000 in grants to nonprofits, with $70,000 for Westmoreland-area programs focused on teenage career development and food and housing insecurity. The convening ended with an all-hands-on-deckservice-learning project at Central Westmoreland Habitatfor Humanity, which brings families, volunteers and resources together to build affordable housing in low-income areas. The organization has received funding from CFWCs Revitalizing Westmoreland grant program for the Weidlein Plan / Barclay Plan neighborhood Beautification Project to provide no-cost residential beautification to owner-occupied and long-term rental homes and the community playground. The interns cleared debris and litter at a lot that will soon be the site of a new home built by Habitat for Humanity.This Youth Philanthropy Summit allowed us to learn more about the diversity of issues that other regions close to us are currently facing, says Olivia Steeley, CFWC 2019 intern. It was such a fun experience being able to hear everyones stories while working together.'