$244,350 raised
HELP US BUILD THE DIANE SCHROEDER HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER
A HEALTHY FOUNDATION FOR EVERY FUTURE.
October 13, 2025
Foundation Prep Underway! We’ve moved past demolition and are now focusing on the ground below. Two trees have been removed, and heavy equipment is on-site starting the critical process of pouring the new foundation.
October 1, 2025
Demolition Complete! The building is down! After our exciting Demolition Party, the site has been cleared of the former structure, signaling a huge step forward in the campaign.
Why the Health & Wellness Center Matters
We asked our staff and the youth in our programs what the new Health & Wellness Center will mean to them. The answer is clear: it represents a huge leap forward in our commitment to whole-person health, efficiency, and opportunity.
Wellness, Year-Round
The Center provides a dedicated, accessible space for physical and mental health activities, no matter the weather outside.
“The recreation space will be a huge benefit. On days that it is raining, there is a heat advisory, or in the winter, they can’t go outside for physical activity. The recreation space will add a much needed on grounds option for the youth to exercise which benefits them both physically and mentally.” — Chinn, Staff
Youth recognize the powerful benefit of having this escape:
“It will be nice to have a place to go to when I’m stressed and step away from distractions, a break from life.” — Youth 1
Efficiency & Empowerment
Beyond exercise, the Center solves critical, day-to-day challenges, enabling better care and teaching essential life skills.
Entrepreneurial Skills: The space will host activities that engage youth in becoming entrepreneurial, like mentoring new residents through wellness and exercise.
Faster Service: A larger “Bug Zapper” room is a huge benefit, allowing staff to process items faster. As one staff member noted, this speeds up the process so a youth can get their “favorite hoodie back quickly” and reduce their stress.
A Place to Work Best: New office space allows support staff (like the nurse and biller) to eliminate disruptions, improving the efficiency and quality of the services they provide to our youth.
As one staff member put it, “This building would become a huge resource for this mission! ‘It is our vision that our community will be TRANSFORMED by EDUCATING youth on the life skills necessary to be SUCCESSFUL’!“
Give Online:
Make a secure and immediate impact by donating online today.
Give By Mail:
Checks can be mailed and addressed to
United Methodist Youth Home
2521 N. Burkhardt Rd Evansville, IN 47715
Earmarked “Health & Wellness Center”
Give via Pledge:
You can spread your overall gift out over up to three years by completing our pledge form.
PLEDGE FORM HERE and return it via mail or email to sharder@umyh.com
Give Stocks:
Donating appreciated stocks or other securities can offer significant tax advantages while supporting our mission. For more information and assistance, please contact:
Shelby Harder 812-479-7535 ext. 245 sharder@umyh.com
Q1: What is the “A healthy foundation for every future” campaign?
A: This is our capital campaign dedicated to building a new Health & Wellness Center. This new center will comprehensively support the well-being of youth in our care, housing dedicated offices for essential staff, a recreational room with exercise and social-emotional learning areas, a “bug zapper” room for hygiene, and vital storage areas.
Q2: What is the fundraising goal for the campaign?
A: Our primary financial goal is to raise $253,000 to complete the funding for the new Health & Wellness Center, bringing our total project budget to $500,000. These funds will cover building construction, furnishings, landscaping, and essential pre-work.
Q3: Why is this campaign needed now?
A: Our current “Transitions” building, which houses essential functions like our exercise equipment, facilities manager’s office, and inventory rooms, is no longer safe and must be torn down. This campaign is critical to replace that unsafe structure and seize the opportunity to build a modern Health & Wellness Center. This new facility will significantly enhance our capacity to deliver integrated health and wellness support, ensuring we can continue to serve the youth in our care in a safe and empowering environment.
Q4: How will the new Health & Wellness Center benefit the youth in your care?
A: The new center will offer transformative benefits, including:
- Social-Emotional Learning Area: A dedicated space where youth can apply and strengthen the coping and emotional regulation skills learned in therapy, fostering their overall emotional well-being.
- Year-Round Recreation: Access to exercise and recreational equipment, allowing them to maintain physical activity and well-being regardless of weather.
- Enhanced Comfort & Resources: An innovative bug zapper room to quickly sanitize and return comfort items, and an efficient inventory room to ensure immediate access to needed resources. Your investment directly creates a healthier, more stable environment for these vulnerable youth.
Q5: How will my donation be used?
A: Every dollar raised through the “A healthy foundation for every future” campaign will go directly towards the design, construction, furnishing, and equipping of the new Health & Wellness Center. We’re committed to transparency in all our expenditures.
Q6: How can I make a donation to the campaign?
A: You can easily donate online through our campaign webpage. Just click the “Donate Now” button at the top of the page for quick, one-time gifts via a simple form that includes PayPal and Apple Pay options.
Q7: What are the different ways I can contribute to the campaign?
A: We offer a variety of ways to give to meet your preferences:
- Online Gifts: Quick one-time donations via our website.
- Pledges: Commit to a gift paid over a period of up to 3 years.
- Stock & Securities: Gifts of appreciated stock can offer tax advantages.
- Matching Gifts: Many employers offer programs that match charitable contributions, effectively doubling your impact.
- You can find more detailed information on all these options on our “Ways to Give” tab on the campaign webpage.
Q8: Are there naming opportunities available?
A: Yes, we offer a range of meaningful naming opportunities within the new Health & Wellness Center to recognize significant contributions. Please contact our Director of Development at 812-479-7535 ext. 245 or sharder@umyh.com to discuss specific options that align with your philanthropic interests.
Q9: Is my donation tax-deductible?
A: Yes, United Methodist Youth Home, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and your contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. You’ll receive a tax receipt for your donation.
Q10: What is the timeline for the construction of the new Health & Wellness Center?
A: We’re currently in the Quiet Phase of our campaign, with plans to break ground in November 2025 and anticipate project completion and opening by Summer 2026. You can follow our progress on the “Progress” tab of our campaign webpage.
Q11: How will the new Health & Wellness Center be sustained once it’s built?
A: This campaign is essential to replace our current “Transitions” building, which is unsafe and needs to be torn down and rebuilt. The new Health & Wellness Center is not just a replacement; it’s a vital opportunity to significantly improve and expand the environment and quality of services for the youth in our care. Our operational budget already covers the staff and maintenance that will transition to this new, improved facility, so there will be no additional operating costs once it’s built and furnished.