Youth First, Inc.

10/31/2026

The Youth First team enjoyed a spooky Halloween celebration this week including a costume contest and pumpkin decorating! Have a safe and fun-filled Halloween! 🎃🍬

10/30/2026

Halloween can sometimes be a lot for little ones. Scary costumes, loud noises, and unfamiliar things may leave some children feeling overwhelmed.

With preparation, reassurance, and connection, we can help children feel build confidence through those scary moments. 💙

Youth First’s Vice President of Programs and Services, Laura Keys shares ways families can help children navigate Halloween time:

Read article here ➡️ https://youthfirstinc.org/when-halloween-feels-scary-helping-children-navigate-fear-and-the-unknown/

10/30/2026

Detective Sergeant J.J. Budde (James J. Budde), a veteran law enforcement officer with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office and a federally deputized DEA Task Force Officer, graciously spent Wednesday morning with our Programs & Services team and Mental Health Professionals. He shared valuable information about different narcotics and warning signs to watch for when working with children and teens.

We also had the pleasure of hearing from Lisa Seif. Lisa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (MSW, LCSW), Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor (LCAC), National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC), and Certified Court Substance Abuse Specialist (CSAMS). She shared valuable insights on addiction recovery and ways our Youth First team can better support young people and families.

Thank you, Detective Sergeant Budde and Lisa Seif, for sharing your time and expertise to help our team keep young people safe! 💙

10/27/2026

This morning at the Youth First Breakfast of Champions, we had the honor of celebrating 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗟𝘆𝗻𝗰𝗵 as our 2026 Champion of Youth First! Carol was integral in bringing Dr. William Wooten’s original vision to life. Through her generosity and dedication, Carol has helped build brighter futures for young people and families for almost three decades.

Thank you, Carol, for the lasting legacy you continue to create. And thank you to our school partners, supporters, team, and event sponsors - including presenting sponsor German American Bank - for making this celebration and our mission possible. 💙

Let’s all congratulate our Champion, Carol Lynch, on being named the 2026 Champion of Youth First 👏

10/27/2026

10/22/2026

Attention Pacer Families! We are hosting a Youth First resource night on November 10th at 5:30 just before our PTSA meeting. Join us to learn about how to navigate the ever growing digital world! See the flyer for more information scan the QR code or click the link to RSVP.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=7zaCuC3VW0iTQZaWB5u0DHZO29Bc4V9BvS3uE0F5z2dUNTRGWjNUVTVIN0NWWFNQSzhFUjZJTzlTWi4u&origin=QRCode

10/20/2026

Thank you to the SWIAHU-Southwestern Indiana Association of Health Underwriters for their generous donation to Youth First! Proceeds from their Annual Golf Scramble at Cambridge Golf Course will help us continue our mission of helping kids through our prevention programs and mental health professionals in the schools. 💙 ⛳

10/19/2026

Saturday was incredible at Key Nutrition & Performance! We loved watching the kids compete, show off their strength and skills, and come together to support Youth First’s mission of strengthening young people’s mental health. 💪

Thank you to everyone who participated in this giveback event and helped make the day a success! 💙

10/17/2026

𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱. 💙

If you know a child who has lost someone special, please consider recommending Camp Memories, a FREE one-day program designed to help children navigate grief in a safe and supportive environment.

📆 November 7
⏰ 9-3 PM CST
📍Glenwood Leadership Academy
⭐ Guidance from trained Youth First facilitators

➡️ Sign up today! Email Heather Miller - [email protected] OR https://tinyurl.com/CampMemories2026

10/16/2026

𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 & 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 💙

October 2026 Mission Moment:

Meet Jillian Miller, a Youth First Mental Health Professional at Lodge Community School in Evansville! Jillian has created a warm, inviting space where students of all ages can feel safe, comfortable, and supported. Her care extends beyond her room. You’ll often find her in the hallways, connecting with students and building relationships. By being visible and accessible, Jillian helps reduce the stigma around seeking support and ensures students know they have a safe adult to turn to.

Recognizing her students’ need for programs and opportunities to connect, Jillian created “The Sunshine Society,” an after-school club that teaches kindness and compassion toward others.

Jillian goes above and beyond for her school community, and we’re proud to have her on the Youth First team, bringing our mission to life every day! 💛