Elena Dietz, 17, has lived in Dubuque her entire
life but during the past year, her work with the
YAPPERS—Youth Area Philanthropists—has
opened her eyes to new aspects of her hometown.
“I’ve met people from different walks of life and
seen parts of Dubuque that I’d never seen before, ”
she says. From painting the Riverview Center to
helping with the Multicultural Family Center’s Taste
of the World celebration, Elena says her experience
with the YAPPERS has also improved her people
skills. “You can’t just sit in the corner when people
need your help.”
The Community Foundation created the YAPPERS
in 2004. Comprised of local junior and senior
high school students, the program provides
opportunities for youth to become involved in their
community, to grow as individuals, and to get
started early on the path to philanthropy.
In 2006, the YAPPERS received the Association
of Fundraising Professionals’ Outstanding Youth
in Philanthropy award. Since then, the group
has supported numerous community-wide
service projects and volunteered for an array of
organizations. The YAPPERS’ signature event is
Feed the Need, an annual soup-line-style luncheon
and silent auction that aims to raise awareness
of youth hunger. The successful event has raised
thousands of dollars to support YAPPERS grants for
youth-serving nonprofits.
Elena is starting her senior year at Dubuque Senior
High School this fall and plans to continue her
involvement with the YAPPERS. “Seeing what we’ve
been able to do for others, I wouldn’t feel right if I
didn’t continue to give back to my community.”
