Tag Archive for: EVSC

Youth First & Hangers Win $25,000 Grants from State Farm Neighborhood Assist®

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Nationwide over 3 million votes were cast in support of favorite causes through the State Farm Neighborhood Assist® program, a crowd-sourced philanthropic process that empowers communities to address issues in their neighborhoods. Thanks to the many supporters who voted, Youth First and Hangers both finished among the Top 40 vote-getters nationwide, with each organization receiving a $25,000 grant.

Youth First will use their grant toward embedding Youth First Social Workers and prevention programs in 12 additional Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC) schools. Youth First partners with 105 schools across 12 Indiana counties to provide skilled social work support and prevention programs that build resiliency and strengthen the mental health of youth.

Hangers serves 3,000 EVSC students annually with clothing and basic hygiene products. Specifically, the organization will use this grant to fund coats, shoes, and uniform clothing for 250 students. This level of funding will have a ripple effect, leaving a positive impact on student families, school educators, and staff.

“State Farm is excited to see two incredible nonprofit organizations in our community receiving this tremendous support. The voting was nationwide, yet Youth First and Hangers supporters made it happen for Evansville and the surrounding region! We are blessed to secure a total of $50,000 in funding that ultimately supports our community’s kids,” said Amy Higgs, State Farm Agent.

State Farm accepted 2,000 cause submissions and selected 200 finalists for the public voting that determined the Top 40. Over ten years, more than 380 causes have received a total of $10 million to enact change in their communities.

“We are thrilled to receive this grant from State Farm to boost the mental health and well-being of the students, parents, and educators at these additional EVSC schools,” said Parri O. Black, Youth First’s President & CEO. “This funding allows us to reach more students and families, and we invite the community’s continued support to make sure these vital services remain in place for years to come.”

Dave Schutte, Director of Hangers, says, “Many students face hardships as they work towards an education, and the need for clothing is present at all times. We are grateful for the State Farm Neighborhood Assist® grant that will help us provide clothing for 250 additional EVSC students. We are also grateful to our many supporters who voted each day.”

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Youth First Social Work Receives $25,000 Grant from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation to Support Social and Emotional Needs of Local Students

Youth First, Inc. was awarded a $25,000 grant from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation to support social work services in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC). As part of the grant, Youth First Social Workers will be in local schools to help address the social and emotional needs of young people by building caring relationships, fostering a readiness for positive changes, boosting resiliency and teaching other valuable life skills. These specialized mentors will offer free-of-charge support to students, parents, families and teachers in five local schools. 

“Our children are growing up in a complex and challenging world that puts them at greater risk for substance use, suicide, violence, and other harmful behaviors,” said Parri O. Black, resident & CEO of Youth First, Inc. “The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation’s investment and the EVSC’s partnership are critical to achieving Youth First’s mission. Working together, we can protect and heal the hearts of more young people.” 

The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation grant will help fund Youth First’s Social Work services and programs at five EVSC high schools: Bosse, Central, Harrison, North, and Reitz. 

“Anthem is committed to improving the health and well-being of our communities and the people we serve,” said Kristen Metzger, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Plan President. “Through our partnership with Youth First, we’ll be able to improve access to care for those in need while positively impacting and supporting youth who are often the most in need of finding emotional and social help.” 

A check presentation for the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation grant will take place on Monday, April 9, 2018, at 2:00 pm at Youth First, 111 SE Third Street, Suite 405, Evansville, IN. Representatives from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Youth First and Dr. David Smith, Superintendent of the EVSC, will be present. Media is invited to attend. 

About Youth First, Inc.:
Youth First’s mission is to strengthen youth and families through evidence-based programs that prevent substance abuse, promote healthy behaviors, and maximize student success. Youth First partners with 59 schools across 7 counties to provide 39 Master’s level social workers who assess needs, develop and implement prevention plans, and connect students and their families to community resources. Youth First also offers afterschool programs involving parents and caregivers to strengthen families. For more information about Youth First, please visit www.youthfirstinc.org or call 812-421-8336. 

About Anthem BlueCross BlueShield of Indiana:
Anthem BlueCross BlueShield works with the state of Indiana to offer the Hoosier Healthwise and Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) health insurance programs for 372,000 Medicaid beneficiaries. HHW serves low-income families, pregnant women and children up to age 19. HIP covers residents age 19 through 64 including low-income families. Anthem has administered benefits and services for HHW since 2007 and HIP since 2008. 

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Renowned Childhood Trauma Expert Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg to Conduct Trainings in Evansville Tuesday, Jan. 23 & Wednesday, Jan. 24

Youth-serving professionals will benefit from a series of trauma-informed trainings led by Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, a pediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. 

Dr. Ginsburg comes to Evansville January 23 and 24 at the invitation of Youth First, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening youth and families. 

“When children struggle to manage their emotions and behaviors, the root cause is often high levels of stress or trauma, what experts call Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs,” said Davi Stein-Kiley, Youth First’s Vice President of Social Work and Programs. “Dr. Ginsburg’s work focuses on fostering resilience and other strengths to help children overcome their problems.” 

Dr. Ginsburg will lead multiple sessions over a two-day period for medical and mental health professionals, educators, and youth workers. He will cover ACEs, strategies to engage hard-to-reach youth and resiliency, among other topics. 

The trainings were made possible through a community partnership between Youth First, the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation, St. Vincent, Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare, Inc., and Deaconess Cross Point. 

The media is invited to attend a session for educators and school administrators Tuesday, Jan. 23, 8:00 – 10:00 am, at the Academy for Innovative Studies auditorium on Diamond Avenue. Dr. Ginsburg will address questions after the session.

About Youth First, Inc.:
Youth First’s mission is to strengthen youth and families through evidence-based programs that prevent substance abuse, promote healthy behaviors, and maximize student success. Youth First partners with 59 schools across 7 counties to provide 39 Master’s level social workers who assess needs, develop and implement prevention plans, and connect students and their families to community resources. Youth First also offers afterschool programs involving parents and caregivers to strengthen families. For more information about Youth First, please visit www.youthfirstinc.org or call 812-421-8336. 

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