YES Home Renovation Improves Access to Youth Mental Health Services in Southeast IN

Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 3:01 PM

By United Way of Southeast Indiana, news release

Emergency & long-term services expanded thanks to $200K grant from Indiana United Way.

Photo provided.

(Aurora, Ind.) - Renovations are complete at Youth Encouragement Services (YES) Home’s facility in Aurora, after a $200,000 capital project grant from Indiana United Ways. YES Home is a trauma-informed residential group home for young people, ages 12-20. Funding allowed for the completion of renovations to the organization’s historic James B. Wismann House. As a result, YES Home can expand access to its services.

“We recommended this project to the Indiana United Ways Statewide Capital Projects Committee because our community’s mental health care system is overloaded, waitlists for mental health care are averaging three to six months, and YES Home is prepared to help relieve that barrier to care,” said Karen Snyder, Director of United Way of Greater Cincinnati Southeast Indiana. “We want every child in Dearborn and Ohio Counties to have an opportunity to thrive, and YES Home is part of a collaborative solution for our young people.”

Facility upgrades and expanded staffing will shorten wait times for critical services and support long-term success. YES Home will be able to serve at least 12 additional youth and offer therapeutic services for up to six months after a young person returns home. These improvements more than double their capacity. In addition, there are privacy enhancements, more robust family engagement activities and additional skill-building opportunities.

“The objective of our program is to empower every youth to become an independent, productive, caring adult,” said Amy Phillips, Executive Director of YES Home. “Thanks to the community’s support, we can expand our ability to provide professional, confidential treatment services in a respectful, trauma-informed environment that is well attuned to the sensory needs of youth in our care.”

YES Home is grateful to Indiana United Ways for this matching grant and to its other local funding partners, including Impact 100, Dearborn County Foundation, Workforce Stabilization, and many others.

For more information about YES Home, its programs and to learn how you can support the organization’s vital work, visit yeshome.org. Current needs include personal care and food items. Donations can be made by contacting YES Home at (812) 926-0110.