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Croya youth center highlighted at Lake Forest council; essay winner credits the program with supporting her recovery
Summary
Croya manager Todd Nihigian told the council Croya ran more than 400 programs this year with about 10,000 participants and 3,000 students attending after‑school drop‑in hours; essay winner Kendall McCclary read a personal essay describing hospitalization and credited Croya with helping her recovery.
Croya, Lake Forest’s youth center, was the city’s community spotlight on June 15, when Croya manager Todd Nihigian told the council the organization ran over 400 programs this fiscal year, served roughly 10,000 participants across those programs and saw about 3,000 students use after‑school drop‑in hours. Nihigian also acknowledged recent foundation grants and staff growth.
"We went over 400 for this particular fiscal year with approximately 10,000 participants," Nihigian said, describing expanded programming, an expanded peer‑training program for freshmen and new staff hires that restored prior capacity. He also announced recent grants of $25,000 each from the Gringanger Foundation and the Fred B. Snite Foundation to the Croya Foundation.
The council heard the Marggo Martino essay contest winner, Kendall McCclary, whose essay — read by staff member Katherine Len Isaac — described a period of hospitalization and the role Croya played in her recovery. "Without Croya, my recovery would have been brutal and strung out," the essay recounts, crediting weekly Croya activities and peer support with helping her return to school and social life.
Council members praised Croya’s role connecting youth with services and opportunities. The city manager and council noted Croya’s upcoming participation in community events (parades, Lake Forest Day band jam) and thanked staff and volunteers for their work. The council did not take a formal action on Croya but received the report and offered congratulations to the essay winner.
Program numbers and support
- Croya reported 400+ programs and roughly 10,000 participants in FY26, with about 3,000 students attending after‑school drop‑in hours. - Croya cited recent grants ($25,000 each) from the Gringanger Foundation and the Fred B. Snite Foundation to the Croya Foundation. - Staff named included Rick Day (program manager), Katherine Len Isaac (staff reader), Sophie Lupini (new staff member), and board chair Chris Carr.
What’s next: Croya will participate in Lake Forest Day and Fourth of July events and plans a band jam on August 4; council members said they welcome questions and continued updates from Croya staff.
