Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy is launching a fund-raising campaign to improve its facilities and expand its capacity. The Indian River County, non-profit organization is dedicated to enriching the lives of underprivileged children, from low-income families through mentoring relationships that inspire trust, self-esteem and positive futures.
Youth Guidance purchased its building from Indian River County in 2017. The 58-year-old building has served our community children well, as the original Vero Beach Library and then the Indian River County and Youth Guidance offices. But now, the building has deteriorated, and its layout no longer works to adequately serve Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy programs. In addition, the weathered building condition creates constant maintenance problems, often forcing relocation of programs.
“Our biggest concern is the building’s layout and condition,” said Felix Cruz, Executive Director. “The rooms are cramped; the building is dilapidated, and the building’s condition fails to help our children dream of a positive future.”
“Due to limited and insufficiently configured classroom space, Youth Guidance must limit the number of children who can be placed in programs,” continued Cruz. “The lack of space means we have waiting lists for many programs. Without the space to accommodate them, and the staff to serve them, children are left out or forced to wait months for the program of their choice.”
