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Avon youth assistance program tells council it served 115 students in 2025; former participant credits program with turning her life around
Summary
Program leaders told the Avon Town Council the Hendricks County Youth Assistance Program served 115 high‑school students in 2025, achieved a 77% success rate and helped 39 seniors graduate; a former participant described moving from a 0.72 GPA and homelessness to college plans after program support.
Stacy Harbell, director of the Hendricks County Youth Assistance Program, told the Avon Town Council that the program served 115 high‑school students in 2025 and that every senior in the program graduated that year. "We get to see the impact every day," Harbell said, noting the program’s individualized approach and its effort to keep funds and services local to Avon.
Harbell and Victoria Allen, who identified herself as an early intervention advocate, described the program’s mix of services: academic tutoring, mental‑health referrals, extracurricular enrichment, holiday assistance and mentor matches. They said staff track school attendance and nine‑week grades and that the program closes cases if students stop meeting participation requirements. Harbell told the council the YAP matched 15 mentor‑mentee pairs, held a monthly teen support group open to all Hendricks County students, and raised more than $15,000 at a recent fundraiser.
A student who identified herself as Gwen gave a first‑person account of the program’s effect: "I had a 0.72 GPA. I was extremely low. I wasn't doing classes. I was ready to drop out," she said. She described receiving help with documents, housing support and school supplies, and said the program helped her secure about $11,000 from a death benefit to find housing. "I've been able to get my driver's license," she said, and added that she plans to enroll at Butler Founders College next year.
Program staff emphasized family‑centered supports, telling the council they assist with emergency needs (one family helped after a house fire) and wraparound services during holidays. Harbell said the program prioritizes keeping donations and services within Avon and, when necessary, within Hendricks County. She noted the program received the Hendricks County 2025 county achievement award from the Association of Indiana Counties.
Council members thanked the presenters and several praised the student’s testimony. No formal council action was taken on the presentation; staff said the council’s financial assistance and partnership are ongoing.
The program’s next public engagements include continued fundraising and the monthly teen support group at Avon Christian Church. The council did not vote on any new funding during the meeting.
