Beacon 5-19

May 2019 THE BEACON Page 7A
The YES Home- Making a Difference in Children’s Lives
The YES home has been an anchor and bridge to many local
youths. It is one-of-a-kind in the entire state of Indiana.
Artwork and writings from
present and past residents
are displayed throughout
the home.
By Nicole Williams
The YES Home is folded
into the hills of a country road
in Aurora, Indiana. Established
in 1981, the historic
location is surrounded by
fields and trees. Most visitors
are unaware of the building’s
importance as they pass
the horses grazing and drive
up the long gravel driveway
which leads to the building’s
main entrance. If the building
could talk, the walls would
tell you of adolescent journeys
of both hope and healing.
Youth Encouragement
Services (YES) Home is a
structured environment for
both children and adolescents
who require a safe environment
to call home while under
the supervision of the Indiana
Department of Child Services
or Indiana County Probation
Services. The general ages of
the children range from thirteen
to eighteen years of age.
The YES Home provides safe
Executive Director Amy
Phillips works countless
hours to ensure the health
and welfare of the youth.
shelter as well as goal-oriented
treatment plans along with
outside therapeutic support.
The home also takes youth on
an emergency basis, which
means they need housing and
have nowhere else to go.
This unique program originally
began with a professionally
trained couple serving ten
children. The YES Home was
incorporated in 1978 after two
other local agencies of its kind
failed. Youth began to live in the
YES Home in 1981. At the time,
the board of directors set their
sights on the possibility of a
renovation of the original home.
The YES Home found the
answer it was looking for with
a grant from the county and
charitable foundations. Significant
improvements were made
to the interior of the century-old
structure while the building’s
exterior historical integrity was
maintained. Youth Encouragement
Service Inc. added to their
name, “The James B. Wismann
YES Home staff is what
makes this unique home so
successful. Pictured above
are Case Manager Kerri
Fox and Administrative Assistant
Jennifer Widener.
Home,” in honor of Jim Wismann,
for his dedication to the
organization as both a Board
member and Treasurer for over
twenty years.
Recognized leadership
qualities are defined as someone
who can inspire others,
demonstrates commitment, has
passion, and understands accountability.
The executive director
of the YES Home, Amy
Phillips, encompasses all of
these qualities and more. Ms.
Phillips became the new director
in 2017 after encouragement
from the establishment’s
original house parents. Every
last one of her staff members at
the YES Home seems to have
a special gift to fit the different
personalities that come
through the door. Ms. Phillips
openly boasts about the staff
at the home, which includes
many different roles to make
the home successful. “I seriously
could highlight each staff
member. The Program Manager,
Jarrid Hornsby, works with
the youth to get jobs, develop
relationships in the community,
and find what sparks
their interests. Staff member
Holly Koons develops creative
groups that engage the kids in
developing coping skills.”
Where many homes have
an “institutionalized” feel, the
YES Home is anything but. It
runs like a well-oiled engine.
Many people would call the
approach “family style.” The
building has separate wings
for the boys and girls. Adolescents
typically have their own
rooms, which they are held
responsible for keeping clean
and organized. Positive and
fun decor lines the hallways
down to the modern bathrooms
which are expected to be maintained
by all. Youths learn to be
responsible for their laundry.
All residents pitch in on the
kitchen maintenance, meal
prepping and planning, and
clean-up. They work for an allowance.
Both staff and youth
eat together. Structure and an
expected daily schedule are
prevalent. Outside participation
in sports and after-school
activities is highly encouraged.
To personally hear and see
the real-life stories of the youth
that know the YES Home
is both hard and a privilege.
Respect for their names and
privacy are always carefully
guarded. I was lucky enough
to hear about one particular
gentleman who still stays in
contact with Ms. Phillips, as
their relationship remains like
family. This particular individual
entered the home feeling
extremely detached and “unloved.”
Every single day, Ms.
Phillips would walk up to this
individual and declare, “I am
going to hug you.” He would
sigh, and respond, “Not today
Amy.” This dance of communication
went on for over nine
months until, with time and
work, he opened up. Not only
did Amy get a hug that day,
but she also got a general shift
in attitude and willingness to
cooperate. Ms. Phillips makes
it clear to everybody who
walks through the doors, no
matter what happens, they are
always welcome back.
Looking forward, what
does the future for this unique
home and the youth who
find shelter in it? The most
anticipated addition currently
taking place at the YES
Home is the construction of
the new recreational building
made possible by a grant
from Dearborn Community
Foundation. The Rec Center
will be complete with a half
basketball court, a pool table,
a workout room, and a foosball
table. A loft space will
be used for yoga and a craft
space. A building like this is
intended to build both mental
and physical wellness.
EG McLaughlin is the YES
Home Board President. He
knows first-hand what a positive
impact these additions
will make. Mr. McLaughlin’s
mother is one of the founders
and board member of the
YES Home. When she was
ready to step down from the
board, she asked her son to
consider replacing her. Since
that time, Mr. McLaughlin
has been instrumental in the
success of the YES Home
and has been a great voice
for the community in general.
His excitement for the additions
cannot be mistaken.
“The kids need somewhere
to exert some energy, especially
in the winter time. As
far as the greenhouse, it is part
therapeutic and part the act of
growing food. It never hurts
for kids to learn and get their
hands dirty. No matter what,
it’s always about the kids,”
shared Mr. McLaughlin.
If you are interested in
supporting the YES Home,
consider joining or participating
in their annual golf outing
scheduled for June 10. You
are guaranteed to have a good
time while making a huge
difference to so many. For further
information, please feel
free to contact Amy Phillips at
812-926-0110.
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