14 Jul Henry County Community Foundation Presents Check to YOC

The Henry County Community Foundation (HCCF) presented a check for $49,023.00 to  the YOC on June 29, 2016 to expand services in New Castle, Ind.

L to R: Jayanna Thompson, HCCF Program Director; David Dickerson, YOC, Director of Alternative Programs; Heather Ault, YOC, Program Development Director; Polly Craig, YOC Foundation, Executive Director; and Michelle Leonard, HCCF Development and Marketing Director

The grant will assist with start-up costs to remodel the former Henry County Youth Center (HCYC) into a residential treatment program for Commercially/Sexually Exploited Children.

Human trafficking is a $150 billion criminal industry that is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States, second only to drug trafficking. It is estimated that up to 300,000 children are sexually exploited in the US each year.

According to David Dickerson, YOC Director of Alternative Programs, “We are excited about being able to utilize the HCYC for what it was designed – helping kids.”

The YOC’s residential CSEC Program will provide integrative treatment for young females (ages 9-18) who have experienced emotional, physical and sexual trauma. These youth have very specific treatment needs that are better served in a designated, stand-alone facility – like the former Henry County Youth Center. The facility will include private counseling areas, gymnasium for recreational activities, large activity room for independent living skills training, classrooms for an on-site school, and a dining area where meals will be served family style.

Polly Craig, Executive Director of the YOC Foundation said, “The YOC is honored to receive funding from the Henry County Community Foundation to expand our programs and services into New Castle. We look forward to continued collaboration with the Foundation and other community partners to empower young women to break the cycle of abuse and to create and maintain a successful and promise-filled future.”