About one month ago, the Youth Mentoring Initiative (YMI) and the Fishers Youth Assistance Program (YAP) announced a merger, becoming the Fishers Youth Initiative (FYI). The two organizations, aimed at helping young people in need, decided to become one.
FYI Executive Director Brittany Rayburn says the merger discussions began months ago and the newly formed organization has decided 2025 will be a transition year, with all programs run by each organization continuing as before.
City Hall was the site of a reception to celebrate the combining of these two organizations early Monday morning.
The new group will now have adult mentors in all Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools, according to Rayburn. The new organization will continue to provide tutoring services, praised by Mayor Scott Fadness as a key program for students that “fell through the cracks” during COVID.
Board member Kim Goss went into detail about the need for food. Many may not realize there are young people in this community dealing with hunger. The Snack Attack program provides 650 bags of food per week to HSE and some private schools in Fishers during the school year. Starting in June, for 7 weeks, 5,000 meals are provided weekly during summer break. Food is also distributed when there are breaks within the school year. That is the extent of need in the Fishers area.
HSE Schools Superintendent Patrick Mapes said 23% of HSE students are on the free or reduced lunch program, a total of 5,000.
Mayor Fadness told those attending the Monday reception that Fishers continues to attract families because the city is viewed as a good place to raise kids. The mayor was instrumental in bringing the two nonprofit groups together into one.
Fadness has focused on several issues centered on youth during his tenure as mayor, such as mental health, food insecurity and basic tutoring services. “The city believes in this new model,” the mayor told reception attendees. “We think it’s entrepreneurial, we think it’s the right approach, not just for today but well into the future.”
Superintendent Mapes revealed information not yet made public about I-read state test scores to those at the reception. Mapes says 68% of HSE second graders passed the most recent test, meaning they are reading at third grade levels, and third grade students are trending at 94% proficiency in reading and literacy. He credits the work of classroom teachers and support from FYI programs for the high test scores.
For more information about the Youth Assistance program, use this link.
If you would like to explore becoming a mentor, contact the Youth Mentoring Initiative at this link.
