Our Friend Janette's Decision to Leave a Legacy
At UMYH, our mission to help at-risk youth become responsible and productive members of the community is a continued journey that was started over 45 years ago. This journey is sustained by the incredibly support of our community—through gifts, volunteer hours, prayers, and more. The most recent avenue of support is our Legacy Society.
Officially formed in January of 2025, our Legacy Society offers a unique opportunity to make a “forever” impact. By including UMYH in your estate plans you are securing the future of our youth and ensuring our programs can continue to transform lives for years to come.
We recently had the honor to see the impact of this support come to fruition with the passing of Mrs. Janette Prickett. Janette was not only a long-time friend and donor to UMYH, but also one of the first members of our Legacy Society. It is with deep gratitued that we are now preparing to receive her planned gift through her estate—a testament to her commitment and belief in our mission.
Even more special, we were able to interview Janette just months before her passing. We are so grateful to have been able to have this conversation about how special UMYH was to her.
In that interview Janette shared her thoughts on giving and her decision to leave a legacy:
On Trust and Impact: Janette emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility. “I always check the Navigator ratings before giving to any nonprofit; I do my homework and really research,” she stated. “Feeling good about an organization is one thing, but I want to be sure that they’re fiscally responsible. I want proof they’re financially sound as they make a difference in our community. I can attest that UMYH does both.“
A Personal Connection: What truly moved Janette to designate a planned gift was getting to know the young women at UMYH. “Learning about the things these girls were accomplishing was inspiring!” she recalled from annual potlucks. “I still keep up with your good news and updates through the quarterly newsletters. Their content and storytelling have heavily influenced me and keep me well-informed.”
Simplicity of the Process: For Janette, making a planned gift was remarkably straightforward. “For me, it was a walk in the park because I just looked at my attorney and said ‘I want to put UMYH in my will’—and that was that!”
Advice for Future Givers: Janette believed in the power of direct involvement. “I would advise them to begin by volunteering,” she suggested. “When you volunteer, you find out a lot about an organization. You learn so much about the mission, the people who work there, the constituents, and the magic that inspires them. What is the group doing that makes them stand out? It is clear that UMYH’s methods are successful—I’ve seen it, firsthand!”
Janette Prickett’s life was a testament to the power of giving, and her legacy will continue to empower UMYH to fulfill its mission, helping at-risk youth build brighter futures for years to come.
We invite you to consider how you, like Janette, can make a “forever” impact. Learn more about our Legacy Society and how your legacy can create a future where every young person has the opportunity to succeed HERE.