Building Stronger Communities through Youth Engagement
When youth are meaningfully connected to community, they are more likely to develop the skills, confidence, and sense of belonging needed to succeed in adulthood. Through our Youth Development grants, Foellinger Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in Allen County working to ensure that children—particularly those with the greatest economic need and least opportunity—have access to the relationships, resources, and experiences that help them grow into engaged, capable adults.
Across Allen County, Youth Development grantees are creating spaces where young people are not just participants, but contributors—learning to engage with, collaborate with, and lead the world around them in meaningful ways. Three of our Youth Development grantees, Erin’s House for Grieving Children, Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana, and Harlan Christian Youth Center, demonstrate this through their programs and services.
Erin’s House for Grieving Children
Erin's House serves children, teens, and families navigating the difficult journey of grief after the death of a loved one. Through peer support groups, camps and retreats, school-based services, and community outreach, the organization creates safe, compassionate spaces where children can share their experiences and feel less alone. Their mission centers on providing hope and healing while helping young people build emotional resilience and connection.
“Research consistently shows that positive relationships and a sense of belonging are critical protective factors that improve mental health; reduce feelings of isolation; strengthen self-esteem; and support academic, social, and emotional growth,” said Debbie Meyer, Executive Director of Erin’s House. “For grieving youth, these connections can be life-changing, helping them navigate a death in healthy ways while building the foundation for long-term well-being and success.”
“For many participants, Erin’s House becomes a place where they feel understood for the first time since their person died. Together with community partners like Foellinger Foundation, we are helping grieving children and teens build resilience, connection, and hope for the future!”
Harlan Christian Youth Center
Focused on after-school programs for kindergarten through 12th grade, Harlan Christian Youth Center offers homework assistance, cooking classes, and teamwork activities that promote personal development and life skills, preparing students for success beyond the classroom.
“For over 27 years, Harlan Christian Youth Center has been a place where kids are known by their first name, loved and accepted, and feel like they belong,” said Debi Knoblauch with Harlan Christian Youth Center. “We bring in volunteers from our local churches and organizations to help connect the kids to the community. It is so important for our youth to make connections with local businesses, organizations, and community leaders. We want our kids to love their community and be an active part of it.”
By encouraging participation and involvement in the community, the organization helps youth build confidence, responsibility, and a strong sense of connection to the world around them.
Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana
“At Junior Achievement, we believe that when young people succeed personally, entire communities grow stronger,” shared Lena Yarian, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana. Through hands-on learning in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship, the organization equips students with the knowledge and skills they need to become successful adults. “Helping students build confidence, skills, purpose, and opportunity does not just change the trajectory of an individual life—it creates stronger families, a stronger workforce, stronger businesses, and a more vibrant future for our region.”
Junior Achievement programs are intentionally designed around experiential learning and real-world connections. “Whether students are participating in JA BizTown®, solving real business case challenges through 3DE by Junior Achievement®, exploring careers through JA JobSpark®, or developing entrepreneurial ideas of their own, they are actively engaged in experiences that help them discover what they are capable of becoming.”
“Those moments matter,” Lena continued. “You can often see confidence begin to grow the moment a student realizes, ‘I can do this.’ That spark of engagement can completely change how a young person sees themselves and their future.”
Foellinger Foundation is honored to partner with organizations across Allen County that are committed to nurturing youth engagement and development. Thank you to Erin’s House, Junior Achievement, Harlan Christian Youth Center—and all our Youth Development grantee organizations—for being champions of opportunity and creating spaces where children and teens can build relationships, discover their strengths, and envision brighter futures.