Three-Day Residential Care Trip

We started our trip Wednesday at Hunter’s Honey Farm, a really neat place tucked away on a back-country road in southern Indiana. The residents learned about the life cycle of a bee, how honey is collected, and how beeswax candles are made. Everyone even got to bottle their own honey and roll a candle. We also learned why they cannot make blue beeswax candles. The natural yellow tint of the wax turns the blue coloring green!

After our picnic, the kids spent time exploring the pond and trying to catch fish, painted turtles, and a nonvenomous water snake. Yes, we verified that last part before anyone tried to catch it.

Dinner at Dave and Buster’s gave the students a chance to place their own orders, stay within a budget, and remember to leave room for sales tax. We also discovered that this group has some unbelievable gamers. We ended the evening at an awesome house found by the YSB legend known as Yvonne Duff, where we enjoyed the hot tub, watched movies, and played the card game President.

Thursday took us to the NCAA Hall of Champions, where students could handle equipment from different sports and test their skills through several interactive activities. Erika dominated two of the residents in the soccer shooting competition. Afterward, we walked along the canal, ate at Golden Corral, and headed to the Children’s Museum. The Golden Corral was a great pick because it allowed the residents to try something new without committing to a whole meal of it.  It allowed them to have more of something if they did like it.

The museum gave us plenty of memorable moments. Two of the residents were slinging pigskins but lost the field goal competition to yours truly. Residents also played baseball and tennis before heading inside to explore the dinosaurs, South America, and the powerful exhibit featuring Ryan White, Anne Frank, and Ruby Bridges.

We wrapped up Friday at the Indiana State Fair, where we visited the cow barn, fished, played FFA putt-putt, and fed baby goats and lorikeets. We also enjoyed plenty of fair food. Only Blaine Duff could drink a raspberry milkshake at 9:45 in the morning.

The kids were great, the staff was great, and I feel very fortunate to work with this team.

—

Mr. Joshua D. Gibson
Alternative Education Teacher
Jay County High School / John Jay Annex
National ACTE Fellow, Region III
Empowered Teacher Advisory Board

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Residential Care: Camp Grandma

 This year the Residential house got to experience something new this summer. We got to participate in “Camp Grandma”. As Yvonne Duff was researching activities for the summer, she came across this blog about these grandmas that would get their grandchildren one week for the summer. So they decided to all come together and do exciting and fun things the whole week.
So guess what? We decided to have our own Camp Grandma for the residents. For the most part, it was a mystery for them. One resident even thought that we were going down to southern Indiana to the actual Camp Grandma campgrounds. This caused a little hesitation, but as bits and pieces were told the excitement began to rise.

On Tuesday the day started off with a breakfast to get everyone moving. Then came the camp crafts, such as the birdhouses that each one built and custom painted. After we had lunch and loaded the vehicles, we were off to the great outdoors. Once we made it to our destination the team work and fun began. Everything was unloaded, with the residents joining in to set up the tents. They did an amazing job and got them set up quite quickly. Then it was time for what the excitement was building for: FISHING! From that moment up until it down-poured, everyone was having the time of their life. Yes, from 5:00 pm to 12:30 am the residents had a ball fishing! It was even said by one that it was the best time they’d had since being with us. At 5:00 am they were up and back at it again. It was so nice to see how they would cheer each other on when a fish, or turtle was caught. And how they didn’t hesitate to help each other take the fish off or if one had an issue with their pole, how they would jump in to help. Even though there were lots of activities planned for that evening, fishing trumped them all. We did set under the awning for a couple hours after the rain started and ate snacks, played a mystery game and just talked. They did get a couple hours sleep.

After fishing Wednesday morning we packed up and ate brunch at the house. Then it was off to get ice cream at Wilshire, and then to the pool. Camp ended Thursday afternoon with visiting a goat farm. Over 40 goats. They got to feed and even hold the little ones. Also, learning how to gather chicken eggs and even tried to catch a chicken. Well, let’s say they tried. And then once again, ice cream.

Even though we only had camp for 3 days, it was a full and eventful 3 days. The residents were so tired by the end. It takes everyone to make something like this happen. And we have a great team of staff that pulled this off. Thank you to each and every one of you! It truly was worth the work, can’t wait for Camp next year!

2026 Residential Care Kings Island Trip

The annual Youth Service Bureau trip to Kings Island was a blast! Once we arrived, we let the kids take the lead, with due guidance from veteran Kings Island goers like myself. We spent most of the morning bouncing between rides, taking pictures, and watching their confidence grow as they worked up the courage to try new attractions. Seeing their faces light up after each ride was easily the best part of the day.

We made sure to slow down occasionally, grabbing lunch together and finding a shady spot to rest. Those quieter moments ended up being just as memorable as the rides. It gave us a chance to laugh about funny moments from the morning and plan the rest of the day. By the afternoon, everyone was tired but still determined to ride as many of the rides as possible. The kids’ energy somehow held out longer than ours, but we managed to keep up. From the moment we arrived, we kept moving and made the most of our time, which gave everyone a chance to experience their favorites and try a few new ones along the way.

As the park came to a close, we hopped on a few more last-minute rides. The kids were exhausted but still talking about their favorite rides and moments from the day. The walk back to the car was much quieter than the excitement-filled trip in, with everyone feeling the effects of a full day of fun!

From “The White House on the Corner” to a Fresh New Look

For as long as anyone can remember, our residential group home was known around the neighborhood as “the big white house on the corner.” The bright white siding became part of the home’s identity and something many residents, staff, neighbors, and families recognized instantly.

Over the years, the house became more than just a building. It became a place filled with memories, support, laughter, and community. The white exterior stood as a familiar landmark to everyone who passed by.

But after many years, it was time for a change.

Recently, we updated the siding from white to grey, giving the home a completely refreshed appearance while still keeping the same welcoming spirit inside. Although the transformation was a big one, the goal was simple: create a cleaner, more modern look that would continue serving our residents well for years to come.

At first, it felt strange seeing the house without its signature white color. After all, “the big white house on the corner” had become a nickname that stuck for decades. But as the project came together, the new grey siding brought a sense of warmth, calmness, and updated charm that immediately changed the feel of the property in a positive way.

The grey exterior offers a softer and more contemporary appearance while also helping with maintenance and upkeep. It blends beautifully with the landscaping and gives the home a polished, welcoming presence in the neighborhood.

Even though the color has changed, what truly matters has stayed the same. The house continues to be a safe, supportive, and caring home for the people who live there. The memories, relationships, and sense of community inside these walls remain unchanged.

Some neighbors may still affectionately call it “the big white house on the corner,” and honestly, that history will always be part of the home’s story. But now, the house begins a new chapter — one wrapped in shades of grey, while continuing to provide the same warmth and comfort it always has.

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Happy National Home Visitor’s Week!

The Youth Service Bureau is proud to recognize Bri Davis, Latoya Wilson, and Kristen Barnes for their outstanding work as Family Support Specialists in the Healthy Families program.

Though small in number, this team is exceptionally strong. Together, they are currently providing in‑home visitation services to 58 families across three counties. Each specialist delivers developmental guidance, engaging family activities, connections to local resources, and ongoing parental support—empowering families to reach their fullest potential.

YSB extends its sincere gratitude for your dedication, professionalism, and commitment to the Healthy Families mission. Your impact is felt every day, and we are grateful for the work you do.

YSB Team Egg Drop Challenge!

The challenge was straightforward: design a structure that would protect a raw egg when dropped from a second story height.  It was a highly competitive race between all programs. Not only did you have to create a safe landing for your egg, but you were also timed with the build time for your creation. 

It was Homebased, Healthy Families, Residential and Admin squaring off in what seemed like a contest for a million dollar prize, but only amounted in bragging rights and a super cool trophy.  During the drop portion it was fun to watch the teams slowly unfold their egg and learn their fate. Did their egg survive, or would it be destined for the compost pile. At the end, every program failed to deliver a safe landing for their egg, EGGcept Residential.

Next year perhaps an egg relay race, or egg toss, or maybe as I get older (and less competitive), just a deviled egg tasting event? Anyway, congratulations Residential!

8th Annual Touch the Truck!

The Healthy Families staff proudly represented the Youth Service Bureau at the 8th Annual Touch the Truck event in Randolph County on April 11. The community was welcomed by beautiful weather, and more than 300 attendees throughout the day.

Healthy Families hosted a ball‑toss game for children, offering fun summer‑themed prizes such as goggles, floaties, and water toys. Staff also distributed cups – from a previous donation to the YSB – filled with candy and informational materials about the Healthy Families program.

Throughout the event, staff engaged in one‑on‑one conversations with families, sharing details about the program and the many benefits it provides. Overall, it was a successful and enjoyable day, offering a valuable opportunity to connect with the community and promote the impact of the Healthy Families program.

Residential Care Christmas Celebrations!

It is hard to believe that another holiday season has come and gone, but as always it was so much fun again in our Residential Program! 

It is our tradition to celebrate early and often! We start early in the month with several Christmas themed recreational activities which even included a Christmas light scavenger hunt around the community which was a huge hit with the residents. The favorite, as always, is our Secret Santa activity. Each resident had two staff assigned to them this year. One staff bought them $5 gifts for 2 days while the other bought them $5 gifts for the other 2 days leading up to our big Christmas celebration.  On the night of our Residential Christmas Party, the residents opened their big gift from their Secret Santa’s, which was either 2 $20 gifts or a joint effort of one gift for $40. 

Yvonne Duff and her son, Blaine took the lead preparing the Christmas dinner this year with some help from a number of others. The food was wonderful! A huge thank you to all who helped prepare the meal, the decorations for the dinner, and for preparing the space by setting up tables and chairs. Our residents were a big help with these activities as well. It really is a lot of work to make this event happen each year! 

This year we had our Christmas celebration in our new building “The West Wing”. It was very nice to have the additional room to spread out as attendance was the best it’s been for a while and we would have been very crowded in the Residential Facility. Once everyone was finished with the wonderful food we worked to get everything put away and arrange the seating for gift giving time. As always, the first gifts to be passed out are the Secret Santa gifts. It is so much fun watching the residents open them and then try to guess the staff who bought for them. We had a couple correct guesses but most were wrong and they were very surprised by who their person really was.   

After Secret Santa the residents receive their big bag full of Christmas presents. Each one gets their own large Santa bag filled with gifts for them from their Christmas list. After everyone is done opening we go around the room and have each resident show what they received so that all in attendance can see and hear. This year there were some new shoes, a lot of new clothes, some fingernail stuff, and a guitar to name a few. One resident was preparing to transition out of care and be on their own. This resident received a lot of items to help them out in their new apartment, including a vacuum sweeper.  

Our residents receive really nice name brand items that they often times do not have the opportunity to get outside of care. Every year you see an extra big smile on at least one face as they receive that item on their list that they wanted the most and didn’t really think it would happen. Yvonne does the majority of the Christmas shopping for the residents each year and with her years of experience has developed the ability to excel at picking just the right items for them.  

For several of the residents they are able to go home for at least part of Christmas day and spend time with family or someone special to them. Typically, there are at least one or two who have no place to go for Christmas. When this happens we make sure that they have some additional presents to open Christmas morning along with having a big breakfast and getting to stay in pajamas for most of the day. Staff like this too as they join in and wear their Christmas pajamas during the shift. This year we had two residents who were not able to have a Christmas visit. 

On behalf of myself, the Board of Directors, staff, and most importantly the residents, we would like to thank all of this year’s donors as it is your support that allows us to create these life-long Christmas memories! 

Healthy Families Christmas Parties

This holiday season, Healthy Families was excited to host a festive Christmas party that brought together families, laughter, and plenty of holiday cheer. With around 40 people in attendance, the event was a wonderful way to have everyone come together.

Families were welcomed with pizza, giving everyone a chance to relax and enjoy a meal. The kids were quickly distracted by all the fun activities waiting for them. Cookie decorating was a big hit, as children proudly designed their own sweet holiday treats. Another favorite activity was Christmas tree picture decorating, where kids could show off their artistic skills and take home a festive keepsake. There was also a snow ball toss game where kids tried their luck to win a candy prize. Everyone had a great time together as their children explored and played with one another.

To make the celebration even more special, Healthy Families was honored to give out Christmas baskets to families. These baskets were a small way to share holiday support and spread warmth and kindness throughout our community.

Healthy Families works towards connecting families with resources to help them continue to thrive and grow. We hope these events help our families find each other and find support within their community.

We are so grateful to everyone who attended and helped make this event memorable. We look forward to continuing to support and celebrate our families in the year ahead.

A Night to Remember: Our Residential kids go to an Indiana Fever playoff Game!

Every so often, the Pacers Foundation gifts us an opportunity to give our kids an unforgettable moment. Our recent trip with a group of Residential kids to an Indiana Fever playoff game was one of those moments—full of joy, connection, and the quiet power of giving children access to experiences they’ve never had before.

As soon as we parked the van and made our way to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, you could feel the energy level rise.  Playoff games (no matter what sport), seem to give off an electric feel, and this one was no different.   As soon as we made our way into the concourse, we could hear some music guaranteed to get you up and dancing.  The thrones of fans wearing red quickly surrounded us as we made our way to our seats.  Waiting on our seats were free red t-shirts to promote the arena wide “red out” for the must win game.

During warmups the kids put their red shirts on over their t-shirts and settled in for the game.  Although there was no Caitlin Clark, we did see Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and a host of other Fever players lock in to win the game and send the series back to Vegas.  We cheered, applauded, and even booed (ok it was mainly me booing a few questionable calls). As the Fever picked up momentum, so did the kids. The excitement is contagious, and before long they were on their feet, yelling, cheering, and completely forgetting their sacred vow of teen coolness.

Why Experiences Matter

     For many of the kids we serve, opportunities like attending a professional basketball game feel out of reach. Families face financial barriers, transportation challenges, and day-to-day responsibilities that push “extras” like games, outings, and entertainment far down the list.

But we believe every child deserves moments of joy.
Moments of escape.
Moments that help them imagine something bigger.

The Fever game gave them all of that—and more.

Looking Ahead

     We hope this is just the beginning. More outings, more shared moments, more opportunities to show these kids that the world is bigger, brighter, and more accessible than they’ve been led to believe.