A group of young women in Washtenaw County wants to increase awareness about dating violence, and this weekend they're raising funds for their cause.

On Sunday, the Washtenaw County chapter of Young Women for Change, a branch of the Michigan Women’s Foundation, is hosting the event "Taste for Change" to raise money for The Neutral Zone’s Melting Pot program. Melting Pot brings together high school girls from Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti to discuss gender-based and dating violence.

Featuring a silent auction, tea and pastries, and activities that help young girls celebrate their lives and the women in their lives, the event will take place at Grange Kitchen and Bar in Ann Arbor.

YWFC is a program for high school girls to learn leadership skills, community service, philanthropy and grant-making skills.

Jenni Lane, program associate for Young Women for Change, said that without the direct involvement of the youth, the message is not always received.

“I think right now a lot of youth organizations are run by well-meaning adults, but the maximum learning potential isn’t always reached if youth aren’t involved with the whole process,” Lane said.

Through this program, high school girls are able to learn how to be a part of important decision-making processes. The girls meet twice a month to discuss what the biggest issues are in the community. With these discussions, the girls are able to pick a group of organizations that address those issues.

The Michigan Women’s Foundation then sends out a call for proposals to each of the organizations selected. Once these proposals are received, the girls decide which organization to support.

“It is fascinating to watch them go through the process of making a decision,” Lane said. “They have to reach a consensus.”

Lane said that in the past the YWFC has only given money to help fund organizations, but this year, with the "Taste for Change" event, the girls are also giving their time and talent.

Lane said the girls decided to choose the Melting Pot as their program to support because in the past couple of years the community has experienced dating violence tragedies. The most widely-known example is the case of Anna List, a Huron High School senior who was killed in 2009 by her 21-year-old boyfriend.

“Many of them know people who have been affected by gender violence,” Lane said.

Melting Pot also bridges a gap between groups of girls from Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, and the funding for this program helps them to continue to work together.

Tickets for the tea-tasting event are $20, or $35 per pair and can be purchased in advance from www.miwf.org. There will also be drawings for prizes for people who register online before Saturday. Guests are welcome anytime between 3 and 6 p.m.

Michelle Meunier is an intern for AnnArbor.com. Have a news tip? Email community@annarbor.com.