Family & Youth Initiatives elects new board chairman

Nonprofit helps children and families in need through programs

A local nonprofit in New Carlisle that helps children and families in need has elected a new chairman.

Ryan T. Wallace is the new chairman of the board of directors for Family & Youth Initiatives. He joined the board in September 2020 and has served as a member at large and the vice chairman.

“I am excited to continue serving our community in a leadership position where I can have a positive impact on others,” he said.

FYI reaches roughly 7,500 families a year through its four main programs, including:

--- The Parenting Network - To support families in every stage from pregnancy planning to parenting.

--- The Real Life Teen Choices program - Brings empowering lifestyle decision-making awareness in middle and high schools.

--- The Mentoring program - Focuses on reaching children after school and those in the Juvenile Detention Center.

--- The Community Garden - Allows families to have gardening space and grows fresh produce to donate to the New Carlisle and Park Layne food pantries.

“As vice chairman, we launched a human trafficking initiative called S.T.O.P. (Safeguarding Those Oppressed by Predators),” Wallace said. “As chairman, I hope to help increase access to technology, especially for single parents.”

Wallace, an administrative law and employment law attorney, will lead the board of directors and assign committees, set goals for the board, facilitate board meetings, and assist executive director Nikki Stefanow in FYI’s mission of empowering families and providing hope, and rescuing children.

“Our mission is empowering families, providing hope. I truly believe that what we do through all of our programs is rescuing children from potential trauma. Our programs touch on trying to keep our kids safe ... When we can keep our kids safe and develop healthier family units, that is better for our community all around,” Stefanow said.

For more information, visit FYIOhio.org.

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