Youth Life Club gets state tax-credit approval

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The state will issue tax credits through the Youth Opportunities Program to help raise funds for a program designed to provide social interaction for at-risk youth in Stone County, according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Economic Development.|ret||ret||tab|

The DED has approved $40,568 in tax credits through the Youth Opportu-nities Program for the Youth Life Club in Reeds Spring. The club is a project established by Stone County Youth Life. |ret||ret||tab|

_We want to encourage young Missourians to stay in school, get their education and develop their life and work skills so that they can have a bright future,_ said DED Director Joseph L. Driskill. _By providing young adults with good alternative activities after school, we help them channel their energy in a positive direction. I applaud the Stone County Youth Life organization for helping to make a difference in the lives of youth in these communities._ |ret||ret||tab|

The tax credits will leverage nearly $81,136 to help approximately 175 at-risk youth engage in activities that help them learn cooperation and positive ways to socially interact with each other. Club meetings will be held on at least a weekly basis throughout the school year at Reeds Spring middle and high schools, as well as Blue Eye High School.|ret||ret||tab|

The project aims to help these young adults remain in school, receive their high-school education, complete alcohol and drug awareness programs, abstain from drug and alcohol use, as well as to reduce the number of youth committing crimes or violent acts. |ret||ret||tab|

The Youth Opportunities Program is part of the Department of Economic Development_s Community Development Division. The program is designed to broaden and strengthen opportunities for positive development in community life for youth, and to discourage such persons from engaging in criminal and violent behavior. |ret||ret||tab|

Through YOP, contributors to approved projects can receive up to a 50 percent partial state tax credit for their donation, in essence allowing donors to redirect their tax dollars to support local efforts. Approval of these tax credits is contingent upon completion of contracts set forth by the program.|ret||ret||tab|

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