Tag Archive for: Orange County

“Springs Valley admires Youth First’s commitment to helping improve the lives of others within local communities” noted Jamie Shinabarger, President & CEO. “We are ecstatic to have the opportunity to work with an organization like Youth First and are looking forward to seeing all they will continue to do to help those in the community flourish.”


“Youth First is grateful for this heartwarming support from Springs Valley Bank & Trust. We are both invested in supporting Indiana youth throughout Daviess, Dubois, Gibson and Orange counties. Caring relationships are even more important today as the world navigates the uncertainties of the pandemic. Students, families, and educators count on Youth First to continue caring for kids in school buildings and remotely to buoy their mental health and well-being during extraordinarily stressful times. This kind of confidence and trust is earned through years of relationship-building and a track record of results that make Youth First well-positioned to identify and address the social and emotional needs of thousands of school-aged children no matter the circumstances,” says Julie Hoon, Youth First Vice President of Philanthropy.


Supporting Youth First aligns with Springs Valley’s mission to enhance the quality of life in our communities. Youth First’s mission is to strengthen youth communities through evidence-based programs that prevent substance abuse, promote healthy behaviors, and maximize student success. Youth First partners with 91 schools across 11 Indiana counties to provide 65 Master’s level social workers who assess needs, develop and implement prevention plans, and connect students and their families to vital resources. Youth First also offers community programs involving parents and caregivers to strengthen families. For more information about Youth First, please visit youthfirstinc.org.


Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company, is a subsidiary of SVB&T Corporation, headquartered at 8482 West State Road 56, French Lick, Indiana 47432 with administrative offices at 1500 Main Street, Jasper, Indiana 47546. Springs Valley has locations in Dubois, Daviess, Gibson, and Orange Counties, offering full-service bank and financial services. Springs Valley has products and services for all types of families and businesses, including checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, electronic services, online consumer and mortgage applications and a variety of other loan options. In addition, the company has a full-service financial advisory group managed by experienced, talented professionals specializing in estate planning, tax planning and wealth management. Investment Services are also offered by a licensed, professional Springs Valley representative. More information can be found online at www.svbt.bank. The company’s stock is traded on the OTCQX trading platform under ticker symbol SVBT (www.otcmarkets.com).


Orange County REMC has awarded $4,500 to Youth First, Inc. to strengthen the social and emotional well-being of students in Orange County.

Youth First partners with school districts to embed social workers in school buildings, where they become specialized mentors for students and prevention coaches for parents and teachers. Their presence also contributes to a healthier and safer school environment. Youth First currently partners with 90 schools across 11 counties in Indiana. Youth First Social Workers build caring relationships, foster readiness for positive change, and boost resiliency along with other valuable life skills.

Research shows these protective factors are the keys to preventing addiction, suicide, violence, and similar outcomes for young people. The organization’s positive outcomes are driving growth, with more schools seeking Youth First’s help to address the growing social and emotional needs of students.

Within Orange County, Youth First partners with Springs Valley Community Schools, Orleans Community Schools, and Paoli Community Schools. Over ??? Orange County students have access to Youth First’s programs and services.

Dr. Trevor Apple, Superintendent of Springs Valley Community Schools, states: “Our partnership with Youth First has been such a blessing to our students, families, and teachers. Our Youth First Social Workers have made a positive impact on the social and behavioral well-being of our students. Teachers and administrators are thrilled with the partnership we have developed with Youth First.”

Youth First President & CEO Parri O. Black stated, “Our children are growing up in a complex and challenging world that puts them at greater risk for substance use, suicide, violence and harmful behaviors. Orange County REMC’s investment is critical to achieving Youth First’s mission. Working together, we can protect and heal the hearts of more young people and their families in Orange County.”

To learn more about Youth First services and programs or to make a donation to Youth First, visit youthfirstinc.org.

Hoosier Uplands has awarded $15,000 to Youth First, Inc. to strengthen the social and emotional well-being of students in Orange County.

Youth First partners with school districts to embed social workers in school buildings, where they become specialized mentors for students and prevention coaches for parents and teachers. Youth First Social Workers build caring relationships, foster readiness for positive change, and boost resiliency along with other valuable life skills.

Research shows these protective factors are the keys to preventing addiction, suicide, violence, and similar outcomes for young people. The organization’s positive outcomes are driving growth, with more schools seeking Youth First’s help to address the growing social and emotional needs of students.

“Hoosier Uplands recognizes the immense importance and need for mental health services for at-risk children in our schools,” said David Miller, CEO.  “In today’s world our schools, parents, and grandparents must work together to make sure children have the best resources available to them to handle the challenges they face on a daily basis. We are very pleased to be able to support Youth First in its work with Paoli, Orleans and Springs Valley Schools.”

Youth First President & CEO Parri O. Black stated, “Our children are growing up in a complex and challenging world that puts them at greater risk for substance use, suicide, violence and harmful behaviors. Hoosier Uplands’ investment is critical to achieving Youth First’s mission. Working together, we can protect and heal the hearts of more young people and their families in Orange County.”

To learn more about Youth First services and programs or to make a donation to Youth First, visit youthfirstinc.org.

Gift Supports the Social and Emotional Needs of Students in Orange County

In a presentation at Orleans Elementary School on July 30, Hoosier Uplands awarded $20,000 to Youth First, Inc. to strengthen the social and emotional well-being of students in Orange County.

Youth First partners with school districts to embed social workers in school buildings, where they become specialized mentors for students and prevention coaches for parents and teachers. Youth First Social Workers build caring relationships, foster readiness for positive change, and boost resiliency along with other valuable life skills.

Research shows these protective factors are the keys to preventing addiction, suicide, violence, and similar outcomes for young people. The organization’s positive outcomes are driving growth, with more schools seeking Youth First’s help to address the growing social and emotional needs of students.

“Hoosier Uplands recognizes the immense importance and need for mental health services for at-risk children in our schools,” said David Miller, CEO.  “In today’s world our schools, parents, and grandparents must work together to make sure children have the best resources available to them to handle the challenges they face on a daily basis. We are very pleased to be able to support Youth First in its work with Orleans and Springs Valley Schools.”

Youth First President & CEO Parri O. Black stated, “Our children are growing up in a complex and challenging world that puts them at greater risk for substance use, suicide, violence and harmful behaviors. Hoosier Uplands’ investment is critical to achieving Youth First’s mission. Working together, we can protect and heal the hearts of more young people and their families in Orange County.”

Youth First, Inc. is pleased to announce that Adam Novello has been named Regional Development Officer effective October 8, 2018. Adam lives in Bloomington, Indiana, and will handle fundraising and advocacy efforts in Monroe, Morgan, and Orange counties.

Adam brings with him nearly five years of philanthropy, event planning, and relationship management experience. Adam was formerly Curator of Education at South Bend’s HealthWorks! Kids’ Museum. Previously, he worked at The Children’s Museum in Indianapolis. Adam is a graduate of Indiana University.

In his new role at Youth First, Adam joins a growing development team that is responsible for marketing, event, volunteer, and philanthropic efforts across the organization’s ten-county service area. He will manage advocates and supporters, as well as oversee all fundraising efforts, to ensure Youth First fulfills its mission.

Youth First protects and heals the hearts of children and strengthens families, resulting in more positive, productive citizens and a stronger, healthier community. The agency is best known for embedding highly trained Youth First Social Workers who act as specialized mentors in area schools, assisting students, parents, and educators. It also provides Family First and other proven programs in life skills training and substance abuse prevention.