Two students from the Capital Region have been selected to serve on the inaugural National Grid Foundation Youth Advisory Council (YAC). Damien Bennett, from Schenectady, and Sean Millington, from Troy, are among twelve young leaders chosen for this initiative aimed at influencing the foundation’s social impact strategies, particularly in the areas of STEM and literacy.
Inaugural Council Members Bring Diverse Backgrounds
The council, which includes ten other students from across New York and Massachusetts, is designed to ensure that youth have a meaningful voice in initiatives that affect their communities. The members, aged between 18 and 25, will serve two-year terms, meeting virtually four times a year with the foundation’s board and community leaders. According to Robert Simmons, Executive Director of the National Grid Foundation, “This accomplished group of 12 young leaders embodies the spirit of philanthropy and community engagement.”
Both Bennett and Millington have established themselves as committed community advocates. Bennett is a first-year student at SUNY Schenectady County Community College, studying in the Aviation Science — Non-Pilot Administration and Management program. He discovered the YAC application while exploring the college’s website. Millington, on the other hand, is an outgoing senior who recently completed his bachelor’s degree in political science at UAlbany, with a minor in history. His application was encouraged by his former boss at the YMCA.
Commitment to Community and Leadership Development
Bennett’s background includes significant leadership experience. From 2016 to 2018, he was a member of the Civil Air Patrol at the 109th Airlift Wing located at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia. He has advocated for funding for YouthBuild and local schools during his time on the student council at Hamilton Elementary. Bennett has also received certificates for his contributions to Habitat for Humanity and currently serves on the Schenectady County Housing Task Force.
Millington has a rich history of youth advocacy as well. He previously served as the chief of staff for the SUNY Student Assembly, representing approximately 1.3 million students, and as the undergraduate student representative on the UAlbany Council. His experiences include a semester-long internship in Washington, D.C., where he worked with Representative Paul Tonko, who serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Millington expresses a strong interest in the topics the YAC will address.
The Youth Advisory Council aims to provide the National Grid Foundation with insights from a youth perspective. Both Bennett and Millington look forward to making connections and supporting their communities. Bennett remarked on the opportunity to learn while volunteering, stating, “I hope that we’re able to do things and make change that is tangible.” Millington echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of effectiveness and collaboration among the council’s members.
As they embark on this new journey, Bennett and Millington are poised to make significant contributions to their communities and the National Grid Foundation, advocating for the interests and needs of young people.
