Two students from the Capital Region have been selected as members of the inaugural National Grid Foundation Youth Advisory Council (YAC). Damien Bennett from Schenectady and Sean Millington from Troy are part of a group of twelve young leaders tasked with guiding the foundation’s initiatives in social impact, focusing on areas such as STEM education and literacy.
Inaugural Council Aims to Empower Youth Voices
The advisory council is composed of students aged 18 to 25 from across New York and Massachusetts. Bennett, a first-year student at SUNY Schenectady County Community College, is pursuing a degree in Aviation Science, while Millington recently completed his bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in history at the University at Albany. They will serve two-year terms beginning in January 2024, convening virtually four times a year with the foundation’s board, staff, and community leaders.
Robert Simmons, Executive Director of the National Grid Foundation, expressed enthusiasm about the council’s potential. He stated, “This accomplished group of 12 young leaders embodies the spirit of philanthropy and community engagement. Their insights will be invaluable in shaping our approach to social impact and ensuring that youth have a meaningful voice in the initiatives that affect them and our local communities.”
Commitment to Community Service
Bennett and Millington are no strangers to community involvement. Bennett has a background with the Civil Air Patrol at the 109th Airlift Wing at Stratton Air National Guard Base and has advocated for local education funding through his role on the student council at Hamilton Elementary. He also received recognition for his volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity and currently participates in the Schenectady County Housing Task Force.
Millington brings significant experience in youth advocacy, having served as chief of staff for the SUNY Student Assembly, which represents approximately 1.3 million students. His prior role as the undergraduate student representative on the UAlbany Council, coupled with a semester-long internship in Washington, D.C., with Representative Paul Tonko, has equipped him with insights relevant to the council’s mission.
Both students view their participation in the YAC as a chance to collaborate with peers who share their commitment to community service. Bennett discovered the council through the college’s website, while Millington was encouraged to apply by his former boss at the YMCA.
Looking ahead, Bennett and Millington are eager to leverage their experiences to foster meaningful connections and advocate for the youth perspectives within their communities. “I’m interested in the different things they have to say from their experience and how we all can come together on it,” Bennett said, emphasizing the collaborative spirit of the council.
Millington echoed this sentiment, expressing his desire to enact tangible change. “I would like to be effective, and thankfully, I’m on the council with 11 other effective youth leaders as well who have great experience,” he said. Together, they aim to provide valuable recommendations to the National Grid Foundation, enhancing its outreach and impact on youth initiatives.
