The young participants enrolled in the Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy are eager to move into a newly renovated facility this summer, something that would not have been possible without contributions from generous donors. At a cocktail reception for top-level donors at Quail Valley at the Pointe, Phil Barnes, YG executive director, provided an update on the progress of the reconstruction and conveyed his sincere appreciation for their dedication and support. “Last year we served 210 children, teenagers and young adults, ages 6 to 24, helping them break through barriers and reach their full potential,” said Barnes. “Thanks to your partnership, 100 percent of our children advanced to the next grade level on time this past school year. Children access opportunities and programs that they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to do. These include cooking and etiquette, sewing, carpentry programs, drone flying courses, scholarship opportunities, college tours and paid internships.” Additionally, he said, 16 graduates of their pre-apprenticeship skilled trades program are now employed in the trade sector and are on the path to success in rewarding, high-paying jobs. Barnes began working at Youth Guidance in March 2020, just as the world began to shut down. And, while the board had aspired to remodel the 65-year-old building, addressing the pandemic took priority. “Almost five years later I’m thrilled to share with you that we’ve raised $2.1 million out of our $2.4 million goal for the project,” said Barnes. The state-of-the-art facility will allow them to serve double the number of students, and will feature a commercial kitchen for culinary arts training, a lab for construction trades, a classroom for upholstery and fashion design, and multi-purpose rooms for life skills and career preparation. “As partners and significant investors in our mission, you’ve made our vision a reality,” said Barnes, offering a toast to the donors. Board member and supporter Trudie Rainone commended Barnes, punctuating that despite starting his position at the onset of the pandemic, he was able to address the many challenges it presented. “We had 52 children at the school, giving them breakfast, lunch and dinner. He was there all the time, and all of the children did well. We got a computer for each one,” said Rainone. Offering a toast to Barnes she said, “I think you, as a leader, have what’s necessary.” Commenting that St. Augustine of Canterbury Church has given them space during the reconstruction, Barnes said, “It takes a village. That sounds cliche, but it’s the truth. We’re all in it together, and we’re making an impact. So, thank you so much.” The following week, tennis fans gathered for what Barnes said was the largest and one of the most exciting finals for the King of the Hill Tennis Tournament, where some 300 spectators gathered at the Boulevard Tennis Club to watch exceptional players battle it out. Tennis players from throughout the Treasure Coast compete in the six-week competition, established in 1996 by tournament director Gigi Casapu, a longtime supporter of Youth Guidance. After an opening rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” sung by YG student Nina Philistin, the winner of the annual Gigi Casapu Scholarship was announced. The recipient was Dominic Stone, an A/B Honor Roll student at Indian River Charter High School, who was selected based on his essay and an interview with a panel of judges. The competing players in the Open Division Finals were Chase Perez Blanco, Andrew Butz, Yohann Prinsen and Samuel Sippel. After the second round, Prinsen was leading Sippel by one point. Sippel teamed up with Blanco in the third round and won the set, giving Sippel the needed points to win the match, with Blanco as the runner-up. Sipple and Blanco each received a wild card in the doubles draw for the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tournament, a Professional USTA $15,000 event scheduled to take place April 21-27 at the Vero Beach Tennis Club. For more information, visit YouthGuidanceProgram.org. <em>Photos by Joshua Kodis</em> [gallery ids="216509,216510,216511,216512,216513,216514,216515,216516,216517,216518,216519,216520,216521,216522,216523,216524"]