United Methodist Youth Home (UMYH) has been awarded a $499,857 grant from Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) to strengthen programs serving young people in southwestern Indiana and build the organizational capacity needed to deepen its impact in the years ahead.
The grant was awarded through Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana (SYPI), an initiative launched by Lilly Endowment Inc. in 2023. SYPI supports youth-serving organizations across Indiana as they work to strengthen their ability to promote the academic, physical, and social well-being of young people ages 5 through 18.
For UMYH, the funding will provide opportunities to continue strengthening the resources and services available to young people in its care.
The grant will support investments in staff and technology, while also helping UMYH provide critical support to young people working toward their high school equivalency, experiencing food insecurity, or in need of mental health services.
Through these efforts, UMYH hopes to help at-risk youth overcome barriers, build stability, and develop the skills and confidence needed to become responsible and productive members of their communities.
“We are deeply grateful for this investment in UMYH, and most importantly, in the youth we serve. This support will help us further our commitment to providing youth with the services, support, and opportunities they need to achieve positive outcomes and reach their full potential.” said Kelly Salee, Executive Director of United Methodist Youth Home.
UMYH is one of 168 youth-serving organizations across Indiana selected to receive a SYPI grant. Together, the organizations were awarded more than $40 million through the initiative.
The investment represents an opportunity not only to strengthen the programs UMYH provides today, but also to build a stronger foundation for the organization's work with young people in the future.
By investing in staff, technology, education, mental health resources, and basic needs, UMYH can continue working toward its mission of helping young people overcome challenges and build brighter futures.
About Indiana Youth Institute: Indiana Youth Institute’s mission is to improve the lives of all Indiana children bystrengthening and connecting the people, organizations, and communities that arefocused on kids and youth. IYI is Indiana’s premier source for high-quality data on childwell-being and data-informed action to address challenges Hoosier children face. Itleads the FIVE by 50 vision as a connector and convenor to ensure that every child willhave a network of five caring, supportive adults in their life by the year 2050. Visit iyi.orgto learn more.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.:Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private foundation created in 1937 byJ.K. Lilly Sr. and sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceuticalbusiness, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of theEndowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinctgoverning board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, theEndowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion.Although the Endowment maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown,Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana, it funds programs throughout the United States,especially in the field of religion.
