CenterPoint Energy Foundation to Award $100,000 to Youth First, Inc.

Gift to Provide Mental Health Support for Students at Youth First Partner Schools in Vanderburgh, Posey, and Gibson Counties

Youth First is celebrating CenterPoint Energy Foundation for investing in Indiana youth. The organization will award $100,000 to Youth First, Inc. to strengthen the mental health and well-being of students in eight Youth First partner schools across Gibson, Posey, and Vanderburgh counties.

In attendance will be EVSC Superintendent Dr. David Smith, Washington Middle School Principal DeVon Simon, EVSC Youth First Social Worker Molly Johnson, MSW, LSW, CenterPoint Foundation President Amanda Schmitt, CenterPoint Senior Community Engagement Specialist Patricia Jackson, and Youth First President & CEO Parri Black, along with others.

This significant gift from CenterPoint Energy Foundation, along with funding from other sources, will enable Youth First to provide its school-based student assistance program and family and community prevention programs at Washington Middle School and McGary Middle School (Vanderburgh County), North Elementary School and West Elementary School (Posey County), and Wood Memorial High School, Wood Memorial Middle School, Wood Memorial Intermediate School, and Wood Memorial Primary School (Gibson County).

Youth First embeds highly trained mental health professionals in school buildings, partnering with 125 schools across 14 Indiana counties. Youth First Mental Health Professionals build caring relationships, promote healthy choices, foster readiness for positive change, and boost resiliency along with other valuable life skills.