Van Buren County Invests in Youth Programs with Record Growth

*VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI — March 25, 2026* — Van Buren County officials announced today that their Youth Initiative is experiencing unprecedented growth, with new funding streams and expanded programs ensuring students across the county have safe, productive opportunities after school hours.

The Van Buren Youth Initiative (VBYI) was launched in 2024 with an initial county investment of $950,000 from American Rescue Plan Act funds. To date, the county has spent $502,559 of those funds, leaving $447,441 available to sustain programs through the end of 2026.

For every $1 of county funding invested, the initiative has already generated $1.11 in return. This shows that our commitment to local youth is a very wise investment for every taxpayer.

The return on investment demonstrates the program's effectiveness in providing value to the community while ensuring taxpayer dollars are being wisely spent.

Major State Grant Brings Over $1 Million in Additional Funding

In a significant win for local families, the Van Buren Intermediate School District (VBISD) recently secured a $1,012,860 Out-of-School Time (OST) Grant from MiLEAP, the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential.

This substantial grant will expand after-school programs across eight school districts in Van Buren County:

  • Bloomingdale
  • Decatur
  • Gobles
  • Hartford
  • Lawrence
  • Lawton
  • Mattawan
  • South Haven

The funding also provides critical support for the Summer Van Buren Migrant and Multilingual Program, ensuring every student has access to educational opportunities during both the school year and summer months.

Because of the success of the VBYI, the Van Buren Intermediate School District was awarded a massive $1,012,860 Out-of-School Time grant. This money will help expand after-school programs in eight of our local school districts.

Arts and Technology Grants Bring Creativity to Rural Schools

The initiative is also receiving support from multiple arts and technology organizations, bringing creative opportunities to students in rural communities.

A combined $28,000 in arts funding will connect local artists directly with students through hands-on workshops in music and visual arts. The Michigan Arts and Culture Council provided a $16,000 grant, and the prior year's arts allocation contributed an additional $12,000. The initiative partners with the South Haven Center for the Arts to deliver these creative programs.

In addition, students are receiving a $10,000 Technology and Media Equipment Grant from the South Haven Area Community Foundation. This funding provides students in rural areas access to modern tools for exploring creativity and digital media.

Our students are also getting a boost in the classroom thanks to a $10,000 Technology and Media Equipment Grant from the South Haven Area Community Foundation. This is a special opportunity for students in our rural areas to explore their creativity and use modern tools to learn.

Students Share What They Value Most

The impact of the initiative is most evident in what students are saying about their experiences. Participants describe the program as providing them with a sense of "freedom of art" and a place to "meet new people."

Most importantly, it gives them something positive to look forward to every single day.

The initiative creates a consistent, positive environment where young people can engage in activities they enjoy while building connections with peers and mentors.

Teamwork Drives Program Success

Program leader Erin Kucharski credits the initiative's success to strong collaboration between school districts and community partners. She describes the program coordinator as a "connector" who links school districts with community resources, ensuring no funds are wasted and every student can participate regardless of their budget or location.

The secret to this success is teamwork. The program coordinator acts as a connector between the school districts and our community partners. By working together, we make sure that no resources are wasted and that every student can participate, no matter their budget or where they live.

Looking Ahead

Van Buren County officials are proud of the progress made for local youth and look forward to seeing these programs continue to grow and evolve. The combination of federal, state, and local funding has created a robust network of after-school opportunities that serve students across the county.

The initiative represents a commitment to investing in the next generation of Van Buren County residents, providing them with the tools, creativity, and support they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom.