The Harvard Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) is back for its second year of giving back to our local parks! After completing a cleanup this spring, our youth are coming together for their second park cleanup of 2026 this fall. On Saturday, October 10, youth and community volunteers will clean Lions Park, Milky Way Park, and Northfield Park.

Last year, with support from our community and the Harvard Parks Foundation, our youth raised funds for dog waste stations in our local parks. This year, they want to continue making an impact.

All funds raised will go directly to the Harvard Parks Foundation to support youth-led park improvements, beautification projects, and new features for our parks.

YAC is part of the Youth Empower Alliance (YEA), a program of the BREAK Teen Center that empowers young people across McHenry County to lead positive change.

Our youth will take what they learn through this year-long project and present their work at the Youth-Led Conference on April 17, 2027, at McHenry County College.

This is more than a park cleanup, it’s youth turning their ideas into action and making a difference in their own community.

Please consider donating and supporting Harvard’s young leaders!

Questions? Contact Edith Sanchez at edith@namimch.org

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