Everything Under The Sun: Serving Southern Indiana's Children And Youth

Some of the youth who participate in summer activities.

Located in New Albany, Indiana, in the southern region of the State, sits OPEN DOOR YOUTH SERVICES. It's been in existence since 1982, originally known as the Floyd County Youth Services Bureau. It started out with a shelter for troubled children and youth, but has added a variety of programs over the years. Currently, programs reach over 700 children each year.

Of course, the residential portion of the program is still running, providing a haven for youth, who need a few days to unwind from a family crisis, or who need to stay longer because of ongoing difficulties in the family home. They can stay for a few days or a few years, depending on the need. Other programs are New Directions, an after school program for elementary students that utilizes the Social Decision Making Model. There is a Teen Court, which provides diversion for first-time offenders, providing a legally-binding court with a true jury of peers. The idea is to adjudicate in an atmosphere that helps to support the involved youth to stay out of future difficulties, and frequently provides treatment.

Telemedicine provides long distance psychiatric care, in alliance with Bloomington Meadows Hospital, providing the full scope of outpatient services without the need for a family to travel long distances. Diagnostic And Evaluation Services offers psychological testing to determine an appropriate program to meet a youth's needs from the beginning. The Prevent Child Abuse Programs Of Clark And Floyd Counties, focusing on prevention and education, also operate under this broad umbrella. Plus, there are also a variety of local programs offered for both youth and parents.

According to the most recent newsletter, Kalenn has been one of the beneficiaries of the resident program, since October. After she studied for the GED, she was able to pass the test recently. She was also participating in the Etsy Entrepreneurial program, which teaches business and marketing skills. This was the first time this program was offered and she was among those in the first group of graduates. Her goal is to open a savings account with some of the earnings from her first paycheck. In future, she would like a career working with children, since she loves children and wants to be able to help them. Congratulations, Kalenn!

Kalenn in a relaxed moment.

Another recent happening has been Open Door being named the only nonprofit from southern Indiana to participate in IGNITE LOUISVILLE, a program that develops the next generation of leaders. So far, the program has helped redesign Open Door's website, started the Etsy program, and rebranded some of the already-established programs. Executive Director Leah Pezzarossi, commented, "Ignite Louisville has really come in with enthusiasm and energy and they are helping to propel us forward." Allie Johnston, Community Liaison, is also delighted, "We are very lucky to have our Ignite team, they are an extremely talented group." By the end of April, they will have wrapped up their contributions and will present a report on the results.