Linking Youth to Pathways of Success

Quarterly News & Updates

February 2023

Explore our new website!

Our website is so much easier to use (and look at)! Want to learn more about our "why"? Visit www.youthlinksi.org to hear from our Leadership Team on the vital services we provide to the community. Thank Idealogy Marketing + Design for your hard work bringing our stories to life.

Update from Executive Director

Dear Friends,

Welcome to 2023! I wish you a healthy and prosperous new year.

We ended 2022 on a high note. We settled into our new offices, brought on new staff members to our team, continued to share the branding of our new name, Youth Link Southern Indiana, and celebrated 20 years of serving our community, and our mission to provide resources to remove barriers so students in our schools can obtain their full potential. And that’s not all!

In 2022, Youth Link Southern Indiana supported over 500 students and families with our Extended Day Learning program. The 21^st Century Community Education Centers have helped over 150 students improve or maintain their grades. We’ve also provided over 500 students with mental health and emotional support (thank you Centerstone Therapists for an amazing and impactful partnership) and a countless number of students were able to take what they need to focus on their studies with our Bare Necessities Closets.

I am so excited to share what 2023 will bring and how our programs and our team will continue help our youth excel, but we need your help to spread our mission. If you have a group or know a group that may be interested in learning about how you can help shape the future of supporting our youth, reach out and let us know. Perhaps it’s your ladies or men’s group at church, your workplace, an organization you belong to, or maybe your Friday night bunco group. We’d love to meet and share!

All this is possible because of you; someone who cares about our youth, our schools, and our community. I appreciate your continued support of Youth Link Southern Indiana and look forward to working with you to give every student, every opportunity, every day.

Warmest regards,

Jerry

Programming Updates

In-School Support

has worked to remove the barriers for all students by partnering with Centersone since 2006 to provide in-school therapy. Since the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, we have served 513 students. Every student receiving therapy is referred by a teacher and counseled with parental or guardian consent.

The therapists visit students at one of our 14 partner schools during the school day. Our program provides the service at the school, in an element where the student feels comfortable and removes the need for transportation, at no cost to the family. The therapists are also able to share resources with the school on how to support students in crisis.

Extended Day Learning

is looking forward to spring break!

GCCS: March 20th - March 31st

CCS: March 27th - March 31st

The two-week theme is Healthy Bodies and Healthy Minds!

Elementary 21st Century Community Learning Centers

have kicked off their outside enrichment program in 2023. Each of the four sites hosts sessions that include Karate with Terry Greenwell, Drama by George, Storytelling with the Jeffersonville Library, and Operation Fit Kids with Pam Clark from CASI.

Secondary 21st Century Community Learning Centers

visited Flame Run Glass Studio and Gallery in downtown Louisville. The students have been studying the difference between transparent, translucent and opaque materials. This trip helped provide a deeper understanding of how certain objects allow visible light to travel through them.

Upcoming Event

Join us for a fun, energetic competition in support of a great cause. In addition to mind wracking trivia, guests can expect twists and turns all night. Register your team here before it sells out!

EVENT DETAILS:

Friday, March 10, 2023
Doors open at 6:00pm
Game begins promptly at 7:00pm
The Radisson Hotel Louisville North (505 Marriott Drive, Clarksville, Ind.)
Cost: $200 per table (up to 8 players)
Table may bring their own food and table decorations.
Cash bar will be available. Non-alcoholic beverages complimentary.

Title Sponsor:

Gold Sponsors:

Centra Credit Union

Sounds Unlimited Productions

Taco Bell

Silver Sponsors:

20/twenty Strategic Consultants

German American Bank

Ivy Tech Community College, Sellersburg

Community Partners

Wood-Carr Community Fund

awarded Youth Link Southern Indiana $2,500.00 to be used to support the in-school therapist at Borden Elementary. Thank you to the Wood-Carr Community Fund for understanding the importance of therapy. We know just how important it is for the child to learn to regulate their emotions and understand the connection between their feelings and behavior in order to have more control over them.

The Gheens Foundation

awarded Youth Link Southern Indiana $25,000.00 to provide academic support and mental health services to our 19 partner schools. We greatly appreciate The Gheens Foundation's understanding of the needs in our community and continued support.

Welcome to the Team!

Steven Cabezas

Development Coordinator

Ready to volunteer? Please contact Michelle Allen or click here for more information.

Donations Needed to Bare Necessities Program

Looking for the bare necessities, the simple bare necessities!

With the school year kicking off and the weather growing colder, our Bare Necessities closets are in need of donations. At this time, we are accepting new donations at the Youth Link Southern Indiana Office.

Sweatpants - various sizes and colors
T-shirts - various sizes and colors
Underwear
Socks
Lice Shampoo
Hygiene Products

Easy Fundraising - Here's How to Help!

It's Time to Re-Enroll in Kroger Community Rewards!

Visit Kroger Community Rewards and select Youth Link Southern Indiana as your organization of choice. We will receive a donation for every dollar you spend at Kroger!

Our mission: To engage the community in celebrating, inspiring, and supporting

youth success in Southern Indiana.