Mercer County Youth to Youth Annual Recognition Banquet

(5-8-23) On April 24^th, Mercer County Youth to Youth held their annual Recognition banquet for those 7^th-12^th grade students who have been serving in our group. The Mercer County Y2Y group serves many purposes in Mercer County. Y2Y helps to promote Y2Y’s mission – youth empowering youth – and to educate their peers on the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, along with mental health and suicide awareness. Y2Y teens serve as a link between the youth, their schools, and the community. Y2Y is a place for Mercer County teens to express ideas and opinions while building their leadership skills and bettering their communities.

Youth were honored for their meeting attendance and volunteer hours! Since the beginning of the school year, the youth in our group have volunteered a total of 347 hours as Youth to Youth volunteers in the community! Not all were able to be present, but we are thankful for each one of them! Top volunteer hours were Aiden Norris and Makenzie Norris with 30.6 hours each and 2^nd place was Tiffany Taft and Bella Taft with 29.75 hours each. Top meeting attendance went to Paul Homan, Koton Gehm and Tiffany Taft with 14 meetings. We also celebrated with a variety of food originating from other countries.

The remaining meetings for the school year are open to incoming 7^th graders as well. Our last meetings are May 8 (Learning ASL) and May 22 (Creative Craft) from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Foundation’s Clubhouse, 221 S. Buckeye St., Celina. Youth will also be meeting up three times this summer to stay connected and engaged. Those dates include: Tuesday, June 20 from 2-5 pm Putt Putt and Bowling, Coldwater; Tuesday, July 11 Coldwater Pool and Park from 3-6 pm; and Wednesday, August 16 Mercer County Fair 12:30-3:30 pm. Our monthly meetings will begin again in September 2023.

Check out our Mercer County Youth to Youth group on Facebook or mercercounty_y2y on Instagram to stay connected. If your youth is interested in participating in any of the upcoming meetings or gatherings, please contact Laura Sanford at lauras@foundationsbhs.org or 419-584-1000 at Foundations Behavioral Health Services.