GPC Awards Youth First, Inc. $15,000 to Support Daviess, Martin and Pike County Students and Families

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Grain Processing Corporation (GPC) has made a $15,000 donation to Youth First, Inc. This is the third significant donation GPC has made to Youth First since 2017.  With this support Youth First is able to continue their mission to strengthen students and their families in Daviess, Martin and Pike counties.  GPC is a subsidiary company of Kent Corporation, headquartered in Muscatine, Iowa.


Youth First brings family programs to communities and partners with schools to embed Master’s level social workers in the building, where they are an essential part of the school community, serving as mentors for students and prevention coaches for parents and teachers. This service is available to any student enrolled at one of 92 partner schools across 11 Indiana counties. Youth First Social Workers build caring relationships with students, foster readiness for positive change, and boost resiliency to face life’s challenges.

Research shows that building these protective factors in young people reduces risk factors and is essential to preventing addiction, violence, suicide, and similar tragic outcomes. Over 10 years of Youth First data demonstrate that this prevention model benefits the whole community,  empowering the next generation of employees with the social and emotional skills they need to work or continue their education, and ultimately thrive.

“Youth First Social Workers are in nearly all of the area schools where GPC employees’ children or grandchildren attend,” said John Dudenhoeffer, Plant Manager. “This donation is one way that we can help support our employees and their families and the many challenges that kids face today.”

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

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United Way of Daviess County Grants Relief Funds to Youth First, Inc.

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The second semester of the 2020-2021 school year is underway, and relief funds from the United Way of Daviess County are helping Youth First, Inc. strengthen the social and emotional well-being of students in Daviess County.

In 2020, United Way of Daviess County awarded Youth First with a $1,000 Covid-19 Relief Fund grant to support the organization’s school-based social work services, allowing five Youth First Social Workers to adapt and maintain vital connections with students and families. As the pandemic has continued, Youth First’s mental health professionals are utilizing confidential phone lines and virtual platforms to provide ongoing support whether or not school buildings are open. Thanks to United Way of Daviess County jumping in to offer crisis funding, the relied-on service that Youth First provides to students has been able to continue uninterrupted. 

Youth First partners with Washington, Barr-Reeve, and North Daviess Community Schools, as well as Washington Catholic Schools. Over 3,600 Daviess County students have access to Youth First’s programs and services.

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

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Youth First Prevention Model Embedded in Washington Catholic Supports Social and Emotional Needs of Students

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This school year, over 400 students will benefit from a new partnership between Youth First and Washington Catholic Schools. Washington Catholic Elementary and Washington Catholic Middle/High School will welcome a Youth First Social Worker in their building to serve the social and emotional well-being of students. Youth First will also launch several Family First programs for students and families in Daviess County.

Youth First embeds Master’s level social workers and prevention programs in schools to help increase the hope and resilience of young people and their families. Youth First Social Workers are 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.

Within Daviess County, Youth First partners with Washington Community School Corporation, North Daviess Community School Corporation, and Barr-Reeve Community School Corporation, along with the new partnership with Washington Catholic. Over 3,500 Daviess County students now have access to Youth First’s programs and services.

At Washington Catholic Schools, Youth First Social Worker Abby Betz will work hand-in-hand with students, parents, teachers, and school administrators to help youth develop a mindset, a skill set, and a social support system that builds resilience in all areas of life. Principals Kelsi Edwards and Karie Craney, along with President Linda Ketzner, agree the value of having a Youth First Social Worker in their buildings is immeasurable. “I have witnessed the amazing services provided by Youth First Social Workers. They meet the needs of each school they serve and are able to cater to the specific needs of each student. More importantly, Youth First becomes family to the schools they serve. Youth First’s dedication in supporting and sustaining mental health for our entire student body is not only appreciated, but an important component that supports the function of all schools,” says Ketzner.

Youth First will also launch virtual Family First programs this school year for Daviess County families. Family First is a 10-week group program designed for parents and caregivers along with their children and teens. Families build on improving family relationships, parenting skills, and youth social and life skills. The program welcomes single-parent, blended, and traditional families and is also offered in Spanish in Daviess County.

With a mission of strengthening youth and families, Youth First celebrated its 22nd anniversary earlier this year. Youth First President & CEO Parri Black states, “Caring relationships are even more important today as the world navigates the uncertainties of COVID-19. When the pandemic closed our partner school buildings in March, students, families, and educators counted on Youth First to continue caring for kids 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.”

The strength of the Youth First prevention model in Daviess County is the result of determined school leaders, valued community partners, and generous donors. Sustaining the service into future years will come from school partner fees and the community supporting Youth First with donations, sponsorships, and private investment. Visit the organization’s website to learn more about the dedicated Daviess County citizens who help support Youth First’s school-based social work program.

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

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Grain Processing Corporation Awards $10,000 to Youth First, Inc.

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Gift Supports the Social and Emotional Needs of Students in Daviess, Martin & Pike Counties

In a presentation on August 16, Grain Processing Corporation (GPC), Washington, Indiana, committed $10,000 to Youth First, Inc. to strengthen the social and emotional well-being of students in Daviess, Martin and Pike counties. GPC is a subsidiary company of Kent Corporation, headquartered in Muscatine, Iowa.
This school year, Youth First is partnering with 78 schools in 10 Indiana counties to embed 57 Master’s level 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.
“When we first heard about the presence of Youth First in our local schools and the positive work they were doing, it was an easy decision to get on board with our support,” said John Dudenhoeffer, Plant Manager. “Youth First social workers are in nearly all of the area schools where GPC employees’ children or grandchildren attend. This is one way that we can help support those families and the many challenges facing our youth today.”
The positive outcomes of Youth First are driving growth across the area, with more schools seeking the organization’s help to address the growing social and emotional needs of students.
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. GPC’s investment is critical to achieving Youth First’s mission. We are so grateful for their continuing support. Working together, we can protect and heal the hearts of more young people and their families in Daviess, Martin and Pike counties.”

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Old National Bank Foundation to Award $50,000 to Youth First, Inc.

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Gift Supports the Social and Emotional Needs of Students in Multiple Indiana Counties

April 30, 2019

Old National Bank Foundation has committed $25,000 per year for two years to Youth First, Inc. to strengthen the social and emotional well-being of students in Daviess, Gibson, Orange, Posey, and Vanderburgh counties. A check presentation was held on April 30 at Youth First’s downtown Evansville office.

Sara Miller, Old National Bank’s Southern Region Chief Executive Officer stated, “We are proud to partner with Youth First so that kids in our communities receive the services that they need. This $50,000 grant will help fund those efforts and ONB is proud to play a part in that development.” 

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 impact is driving growth, with more schools seeking Youth First’s help to address the growing social and emotional needs of students.

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,” said Parri O. Black, President & CEO of Youth First, Inc. “Old National Bank Foundation’s continued 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 these counties.”

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