The YouthWorks Pageants are a vital part of our youth philanthropy program where local high school students raise funds for children's healthcare programs and services at Yakima Valley Memorial and Children's Village through Children's Miracle Network Hospitals®. The video below showcases the YouthWorks program.
Proceeds from YouthWorks high school pageants directly benefit pediatric programs through Children’s Miracle Network at Yakima Valley Memorial and Children’s Village, serving thousands of children each year through hospital treatment, educational programs, and family services.
Since 100% the funds stay local to support the Neonatal Intensive Care unit, Pediatric Unit, Family Birthplace, Maternal Health and Children’s Village, students see the positive effects of their efforts and walk away knowing that they can play a part in making their hometown a better place in which to live.
Each fall, participating high schools nominate and select their contestants who compete for the title of Mr. [Participating High School]. Each school is paired with a Miracle Child from who has benefited from programs or services at Yakima Valley Memorial and/or Children’s Village. Throughout the process, candidates tour Children’s Village, the NICU, and the Pediatric Unit, volunteer at weekend sports events with kids who have special health care needs, and participate in a handful of fundraising activities including restaurant takeovers across the Yakima Valley. Contestants also fundraise on their own through online give pages accessed here:
Mr. West Valley 2022 - February 23rd
Highland Top Scot 2022 - March 17thMr. East Valley 2022 - May 13th
The months long program culminates on pageant night where the contestants put together group dances, humorous skits, honor special heroes in their lives, answer on-stage questions, and finally crown a some one as the congeniality winner and overall pageant winner. Each Pageant winner receives a scholarship check through FirstFruits Marketing and Gesa Credit Union.
- Abbotts Printing
- HLA Engineering and Land Surveying, Inc.
The YouthWorks Initiative is a partnership between The Memorial Foundation and local high schools representing a commitment to the youth in our community.
The YouthWorks Council is made up of Yakima Valley youth leaders, ranging from 9th through 12th grades attending any school in Yakima County who exemplify advanced leadership qualities, display interest in philanthropy, and exude a passion for providing service to the community.
The YouthWorks Council creates advocates who work to improve the future of health care in our community by learning about the different avenues of care provided by the Yakima Valley Memorial family of services. They carry out this mission through the support of The Memorial Foundation’s four healthcare initiatives: Cancer Care, Children’s Health, Compass Care, and Healthy Yakima. The YouthWorks Council acts as a board of directors over the YouthWorks Initiative by helping raise and allocate funds, initiating events, and encouraging volunteerism and community support among their peers. Meetings are held once a month on the 3rd Monday at 6:30, location varies. We ask that attendance at council meetings be 60% to be eligible to be on council the following year.
The following positions are open for the 2021-2022 YouthWorks Council:
*Must have at least 1 year of YouthWorks Council membership to apply for the executive board.
This position manages the YouthWorks Initiative and oversees the YouthWorks Council. The Executive Chair organizes and chairs the monthly meetings, represents the YouthWorks Council at The Memorial Foundation’s Board of Trustees meetings, and is responsible for the work and doings of the council. This position must commit to giving 15 hours of community service throughout the year. Apply for Executive Chair
This position serves assists the Executive Chair with their needs. The Volunteer Coordinator is also responsible for organizing student volunteers for the YouthWorks Pageants and overseeing the allocation process. This position must commit to giving 15 hours of community service throughout the year. Apply for Vice Chair/Volunteer Coordinator
This position serves as the record keeper and manages communication of the YouthWorks Council, taking minutes during meetings and keeping an organized file structure of all information. The secretary is tasked with emailing minutes to all council members each month and to communicate with other council members regarding activities. This position must commit to giving 15 hours of community service throughout the year. Apply for Secretary
This position works with the other executive members to maintain the presence and visibility of the YouthWorks Council with social marketing avenues, as well as documenting volunteer activities. This position must commit to giving 15 hours of community service throughout the year. Apply for Marketing Coordinator
25 Council Member positions are open on the 2021-2022 YouthWorks Council:
Aside from the Executive Board positions, the YouthWorks Council is comprised of members who help volunteer at events, engage their community in philanthropy, and have an interest in growing their leadership abilities. This position must commit to giving 10 hours of community service throughout the year. Volunteer activities may include participation in the Cancer Care Initiative, Children’s Health Initiative, Compass Care Initiative, and Healthy Yakima Initiative.
Apply for 2021-2022 YouthWorks council here. Applications are open until Wednesday, September 8th at 5:00 pm.
