Youth First, Inc.

06/04/2026

"According to data collected in 2022 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 30.7% of teens reported using cannabis at least once, and 6.3% reported daily use within the previous 30 days.

For educators, parents, and other adults who work closely with young people, these statistics reflect a growing concern. As more states legalize cannabis for medicinal and recreational purposes, its use is likely to become increasingly common, including among adolescents."

This article by Jacob Bambenek, Youth First MSW Intern, helps us understand how we can educate teens about the risks of ma*****na use. https://youthfirstinc.org/ma*****na-use-understand-the-risks/

06/03/2026

🎉 We are thankful to receive a Community Good Grant from Warrick County Community Foundation. This funding will support the work of Youth First Mental Health Professionals in 13 Warrick County schools! Thank you for investing in the well-being of youth and families in Warrick County! 🎉

Community Foundation Alliance

06/03/2026

06/03/2026

🎉 We are grateful to receive a Community Good Grant from Vanderburgh Community Foundation. This funding will support the work of Youth First Mental Health Professionals in 32 Vanderburgh County schools! Thank you for investing in youth and families in Vanderburgh County! 🎉

Community Foundation Alliance

06/01/2026

Join us for Youth First and Heritage Night at the Otters! We would love your help filling the stands with Youth First supporters again this year! For every ticket scanned, $1 is donated to Youth First to support kids and families in our community!

Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026
Time: 6:35 PM CT

Reserve your free, digital tickets here http://bit.ly/4wJwG4z and use the code YOUTHFIRST26 at checkout. Printed tickets will be available to pick up at any Azzip Pizza or Heritage Evansville/Newburgh location. Go Evansville Otters!

Heritage Federal Credit Union Azzip Pizza

05/28/2026

Physical activity has clear benefits for youth brain development and mental health. Youth First Social Worker Lori McIntire writes: "Raising happy, healthy children is a top priority for most parents. They ensure their kids attend all their medical check-ups, provide for their basic needs, nurture and guide them, and offer emotional support, aiming to foster optimal mental and physical health in their little ones.

What about making sure their kids are physically active? The physical health benefits of exercise are clear: disease prevention, improved cardiovascular health, weight management, bone strengthening, and enhanced overall well-being." Read more in this week's Youth First blog: https://youthfirstinc.org/the-importance-of-exercise-for-youth-brain-development-and-mental-health/

05/28/2026

🎉Congratulations🎉 to our May Youth First Star Award Winners!

Please join us in celebrating Deena Bodine, Kelli Knight, Laura Francisco, and Jessica Golba! These Youth First employees are STARS!

Each month we enjoy highlighting four wonderful employees with the Youth First Star Award.⭐️



Annunciation at Holy Spirit
Annunciation at Christ the King
Central High School

05/27/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Mental Health America's theme is "More Good Days, Together."

They invite you to reflect on what a “good day” looks like for you. "Good” doesn’t have to mean happy or productive. It might mean calm, manageable, or relaxing. What counts as good can change for you over time. Only YOU can define what a good day looks like to you.

No matter how you are feeling right now, remember: more good days are possible, help is available, and you are not alone.

05/27/2026

Congratulations to recent Reconnecting Youth graduates from Benjamin Bosse High School and EVSC Harrison High School! 🎉👏

Reconnecting Youth is a semester-long program designed to enhance school-smart skills (attendance, attitudes toward school, doing homework, etc.), enhance mood management, and enhance drug-use prevention. It is facilitated by a Youth First Mental Health Professional and trained school staff.

These students take away skills they can use throughout their lives! 💙💚

05/26/2026

🎉We are celebrating our Carol Lynch Award honorees!🎉

The Carol Lynch Awards honor student advocates of Youth First. Carol Lynch, a founding Youth First Board Member, serves as a tireless advocate and volunteer who inspires others to become connected to the organization. The Carol Lynch Award recognizes young people who serve as advocates of Youth First within their school and community.

Congratulations to Sarah Stutzman, Lily Garrison, Allison Hixson, Abigail Bolognone, Mia Kelsey, and Addison Keith, pictured from left to right with Carol Lynch in the first photo. Congratulations as well to Brynn Todd, who is pictured in the second photo.