Foundation for Youth celebrated 2024’s accomplishments and looked to the future during its 97th Annual Meeting Tuesday afternoon. Several members of the community congratulated their fellow community members as multiple awards were presented during the celebration as well.
The foundation reported a total revenue of $3,182,882 from 2024, the largest percentage of this coming from grants. Total expenses for 2024 came to $3,592,221, the largest percentage of this coming from direct program expenses. A total of 7,353 kids were served in 2024, in addition to 2,717 adults served.
“We increased the number of youth we served by 25% over 2023, and as we continue to bounce back from the challenges of COVID, our focus remains clear. We will continue to support young people where they are and we will walk alongside them to where they want to be,” FFY Associate Director Andrew Young said at the meeting.
Young announced that the foundation completed a three-year strategic plan that focuses on growth, collaboration and innovation, in addition to completing the Hope Avenue Security Project that saw installations including PA speakers and new cameras, he said.
He also shared that Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Bartholomew County were nationally recognized at the BBBSA National Conference with the 2024 Growth Award, their second year receiving this award. They also successfully implemented three Lilly Endowment grants this past year and fully integrated the Council for Youth Development into FFY, Young said.
“This further aligns our mission and multiplies our impact by connecting us with all the other youth service groups around here serving the Columbus community,” Young said.
Young also highlighted their TBRI, or Trust-Based Relational Intervention, camp program. This camp provides a transformative experience for families who have faced adversity, and is designed to foster healing and resilience in a structured, nurturing environment, according to FFY. For her leadership and vision in bringing TBRI to life, Young presented Lori Meyers with the “It Takes a Village” Award.
Incoming Vice President Patrick Main said in order to receive these accomplishments and many others, they need two key resources: people and funding. He thanked the various staff members across the FFY umbrella, saying these accomplishments would not be possible without their dedication.
“In the state of Indiana, FFY is one of the leaders in the number of youth care credential staff, and additionally Indiana is very strong nationally in this regard,” Main said. “So I think it’s fair to say that we have one of the best youth care staff teams in the country.”
Main also welcomed eight new donors of the Jeremiah Millbanks Society of the Boys & Girls Club of Indiana for their contributions to the security project and FFY’s general programs. These eight are Rick and Alice Johnson, Ro and Shorty Whittington, Rich and Alice Gold, and Mark and Wendy Elwood.
NTN Driveshaft, Inc. and Kenny Glass were recognized as 2024 Cornerstones Partners, in addition to First Financial Bank and German American Bank being recognized for their community leadership and support of FFY.
The latter half of the meeting saw IU Columbus student Gage Purvis and Columbus East High School senior Madi Anderson, both FFY participants, awarding their peers and FFY volunteers. Applause erupted from the student audience as each winner walked up to receive their award.
Columbus North High School senior Emily Wart, who had previously been named Youth of the Year during last year’s meeting, received the Carlin Lucas Girl of the Year Award. Chase Sigdon, a sophomore at Columbus East High School, won the title of Carlin Lucas Boy of the Year.
“Chase is an incredible big brother, son, friend and now employee of the Boys & Girls Club,” Anderson said. “He has many fans of all ages at club and is always asked about when he is not here.”
Both Wart and Sigdon will receive a $2,000 scholarship as part of the award. Other award winners include KeiAndre Lipscomb receiving the Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Award, Caiden Crecelius and Charlotte Anderson receiving the Hollenbeck Athlete of the Year Award and Sydney Ebenkamp receiving the Camper of the Year Award. Frances Walton and Mary Kohen also received the BBBS Match of the Year Award during the meeting.
Also recognized during the meeting were Jeremiah Foust and Jesse Tharp, who won the Volunteer Coach of the Year Award, and Ashley Abner receiving the FFY Volunteer of the Year Award. Both Zara Jackson and Avery Greenlee were presented with Employee of the Year Awards.
Johnathan Nesci was presented with the Friend of Camp Award for his donation of the Round & Around pavilion to the Columbus Youth Camp. Business Operations Manager Tina Cunningham also recognized Business Operations Director Tom Brosey with the Special Staff Award for his more than 20 years serving FFY.
“Through good times and lean, Tom Brosey has helped us build a strong, professional organization,” Cunningham said. “He’s been a mentor to many of us with ever present reminders to focus on what’s important, not only what’s urgent. As many of you know, Tom is retiring from the Foundation of Youth. His leadership, dedication and humor will be greatly missed.”
Outgoing president and Board Chair Dave Mann also introduced the incoming officers during Tuesday’s meeting. Rebecca Kirsch will serve as board president, Patrick Main will serve as vice president, Stephen Stringer will serve as treasurer and Danielle Nickerson will serve as secretary. Mann additionally recognized the retiring board members Brittany Diebolt, Lori Rowan and Dom Glover, thanking them for their time volunteering with the foundation.
“As we are one quarter into 2025, exciting things are already happening,” Purvis said to conclude the meeting. “We look forward to sharing another year with you next year.”
For more information about Foundation for Youth and their numerous programs, visit foundationforyouth.com.
