Youth Guidance awarded $100,000 grant from IR Community Foundation

news release

Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Indian River Community Foundation to support its capital campaign to renovate the historic library building in downtown Vero Beach, located at 1028 20^th Place. Once completed, the facility will serve as a modern hub for youth workforce development and family support.

Featured: Jeff Pickering, CEO of the Indian River Community Foundation, presents Youth Guidance with a $100,000 grant alongside Youth Guidance Executive Director Phil Barnes, Youth Guidance board members, and program participants.

This generous award marks a significant milestone for Youth Guidance, bringing the nonprofit closer to its $2.6 million fundraising goal for the project. The renovation will enable Youth Guidance to double the number of youth served annually and expand its programs for Indian River County teenagers and young adults, particularly in construction trades, drone technology, and culinary arts.

The state-of-the-art facility will include tutoring rooms, training labs, and collaborative spaces designed to prepare youth for successful futures through academic mentoring, life skills training, and pre-apprenticeship opportunities. The expanded space will also allow Youth Guidance to host parent workshops as part of its recently accredited Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Center, furthering the reach of its Exchange Parent Aide Program.

“We are deeply grateful to the Indian River Community Foundation for their generous investment in our vision,” said Youth Guidance Executive Director Phil Barnes. “This grant represents more than just bricks and mortar – it represents brighter futures for children, young adults, and families in our community.”

The Capital Campaign is part of Youth Guidance’s long-term strategy to expand services and meet the increasing needs of youth and families across Indian River County.

About Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy:

Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy is dedicated to enriching the lives of Indian River County youth through mentoring relationships that build trust, self-esteem, and pathways to academic and career success. Founded in 1973, Youth Guidance provides five key programs to help children, teenagers, and young adults (ages 6-24) break the cycle of poverty, including: the Pathways Afterschool Program, Summer Enrichment Program, Exchange Parent Aide Program, Pre-Apprenticeship Program, and One-on-One Mentoring. If you are interested in supporting or learning more about Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy, please call (772) 492-3933, or visit www.youthguidanceprogram.org.