Grants to Provide Mental Health Support for Vanderburgh and Warrick County Students
June 10, 2026
(Evansville, IN) Youth First is celebrating a $10,000 Community Good Grant from the Vanderburgh Community Foundation and a $15,000 Community Good Grant from the Warrick County Community Foundation. This funding will strengthen the mental health and well-being of students in 32 Youth First partner schools in Vanderburgh County and 13 Youth First partner schools in Warrick County.
These grants will enable Youth First to provide its school-based student assistance program and family and community prevention programs to help students build valuable life skills and healthy mindsets as they grow into thriving adults and enter the workforce.
Youth First embeds highly trained mental health professionals in school buildings and partners with over 130 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.
“Every grant we make is a testament to the power of local philanthropy,” said Alysia Rhinefort, Community Impact Director. Our donors make it possible for the Community Foundation to invest in organizations like Youth First that are improving lives and strengthening our community. We are honored to steward these resources and help turn generosity into meaningful impact.”
Youth First President & CEO Holli Sullivan shared, “Our kids and families are dealing with busier schedules, greater stress and more complex challenges than ever. That’s why it’s so important to have easy access to skilled mental health support and prevention programs in school buildings, where students, parents, and teachers can take full advantage of it. We are grateful for a partnership with the Community Foundation to build strong futures for kids.”
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About Youth First, Inc.:
Youth First, Inc. is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening youth and families. Youth First provides prevention programs and over 100 highly trained mental health professionals (primarily master’s level social workers), parent engagement coordinators, and bilingual support personnel who assess needs, develop and implement prevention plans, and connect students and their families to vital resources in 130 schools across 14 Indiana counties. Over 55,000 youth and families per year are served by Youth First’s school-based student assistance program and community programs that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and maximize student success. To learn more about Youth First, visit youthfirstinc.org or call 812-421-8336.
About the Community Foundation:
The Community Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to strengthen communities, today and for generations to come. Since its founding, the Foundation has directed nearly $80 million in grants to local nonprofits, supported scholarships for students, and invested in programs that make the region stronger, healthier, and more resilient. As a trusted convener and philanthropic leader, it works alongside donors, nonprofits, civic partners, and community members to address shared challenges and create lasting impact across Southwest Indiana.