Directions for Youth & Families

We are proud to share that Kim Niswander is serving as Board Chair of Directions for Youth & Families. Kim has been a long-time supporter of our agency and a dedicated champion for the youth and families we serve. As the CEO and Founder of the Parker Lee Foundation, he leads impactful events that raise critical funds in support of DFYF’s mission. We are grateful for Kim’s leadership, generosity, and continued commitment to strengthening our community. 💙

This month, we are excited to highlight Julie Sherwood, a long-time supporter of Directions for Youth & Families. She joined our Board in 2018 and has been extremely involved since; she has served as Treasurer, Development & Marketing Chair, Vice Chair, Board Chair, and now serves as the Board Secretary. Her desire to help and support youth & families in this community is evident. We are grateful for her leadership. Thank you, Julie, for your ongoing, unwavering commitment.

Join us for Inspire Us, an evening of inspiration, impact, and powerful student voices. On March 24th, our student leaders will take center stage to share how they're changing the world through service-learning in the See Kids Dream program. From learning the fundamentals of philanthropy, to researching nonprofits, interviewing community leaders, and creating real projects that give back, this is youth leadership in action. Inspire Us gives you a sneak peek into the program and the opportunity to hear directly from the kids about how serving their community is shaping who they are becoming. Your support makes this possible. Proceeds from the event directly support service-learning within schools allowing us to reach more students, partner with more educators, and invest in the next generation of compassionate leaders. Click the link below to purchase a ticket, host a table, or become a sponsor. Lasagna dinner included! https://lnkd.in/gSAmTu2T

This month our Board Spotlight is Jim McCoy, the newest member of the Directions for Youth & Families’ Board of Directors. Jim is VP of Sports Marketing at Nationwide. Jim’s dedication to serving those who need support the most is evident through his previous board experience and his strong desire to make a meaningful impact on our community. We’re thrilled to have his leadership and perspective guiding our work, and we’re grateful to have him join our team. We look forward to the lasting impact Jim will help create for the youth and families we serve.

We are excited to announce that effective today, Amy Gordon will be the new CEO of Directions for Youth & Families.   Amy brings more than two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, community engagement, and behavioral health services. She previously served as founder of AEG Consulting, CEO of Communities In Schools of Ohio, and Family Specialist and Supervisor at Crittenton Family Services. In her new role at DFYF, Amy will work to further expand access to community-based counseling and prevention programs and strengthen community partnerships.  While today marks her first day as CEO, we are confident that Amy will continue to advance DFYF's mission and we look forward to the impact her leadership will have on the Central Ohio community. To read the full announcement visit our website. #LeadershipAnnouncement #WomenInLeadership #OhioNonprofit 

For more than three decades, Duane Casares has led Directions for Youth & Families with passion, purpose, and vision. Duane was the first Masters Licensed social worker at DFYF, serving as both a clinician and Clinical Director before eventually becoming CEO. He has dedicated his life to supporting youth and families in our community, but his reach extends even further. Nationally, Duane has been a leader in advancing trauma-informed care in the mental health space. He has spoken at the White House, New York City Public Schools, Boston University Law School, and many more organizations about the need for comprehensive care and DFYF's outreach model. Duane has met with government leaders to share DFYF’s transferable Community Restoration Model and has acted as a presenter, trainer, consultant, panelist, CEU provider, and educator for numerous organizations. His impact will continue to shape this community for generations to come. Thank you and here's to 33 years of dedicated service!

Last month, DFYF's @ShadejaNelson led a powerful training on Preventing Child Trafficking. Our clinicians learned about the different types of human trafficking, the risk factors, and the warning signs. In the ever-changing landscape of the modern world, we recognize the need for frequent, comprehensive trainings for our staff. Not only does continuous education set them up for success professionally, it ensures that our clients get the high quality care they deserve. #Education #MentalHealth

At Directions for Youth & Families, we believe that developing strong leaders starts from within. By equipping our team with the tools, insights, and confidence to lead with empathy and accountability, we strengthen our entire organization and, ultimately, the youth and families we serve.   Recently, two of our incredible staff, Hannah Ellingson, Clinical Program Manager, and Sierra Williams, Internship Program Manager, completed the ADAMH Board of Franklin County Leadership Academy, a program designed to cultivate leadership excellence in behavioral health professionals. Through this experience, Hannah and Sierra deepened their understanding of leadership styles, learning how to hold others accountable while remaining supportive, collaborating more effectively with supervisors, and adapting leadership approaches to meet diverse learning styles.

This month, we’re proud to highlight John Brody, a long-time supporter and leader on our Board. After serving for many years, terming out, and then returning to serve again, John continues to exemplify dedication to Directions for Youth & Families. His professionalism, heart for service, and commitment to developing others have made a lasting impact on our organization. We’re incredibly grateful for his unwavering support and advocacy for the youth and families we serve. Thank you, John, for all that you have done. We’re lucky to have you on our team. #BoardSpotlight #LeadershipMatters #NonprofitLeadership #DYFBoard #ThankYouJohn #ColumbusNonprofit #CommunityChampions