YOUTH CONNECT 4 MENTAL HEALTH

Picture

​About us Executive Director Yvonne C. Jones established Youth Connect 4 Mental Health after years of experience working with various youth-focused initiatives. She recognized a significant gap: too many young people lack access to safe spaces where they can share their worries, discuss their aspirations, and receive genuine, nonjudgmental support. The result was a vision for a place where young people could not only seek help but also build resilience and find strength in community.

One of the key factors driving Youth Connect 4 Mental Health approach is the belief that every young person deserves access to opportunities and resources, regardless of their background or circumstances. This philosophy reflects the organization commitment to access and acceptance, as it works tirelessly to bridge the gap between the support that youth need and the challenges they face.
Our mission at Youth Connect 4 Mental Health is to provide at-risk youth and young adults with the support, resources, and guidance needed to build their social and emotional learning skills. By creating a safe, nurturing environment, we empower them to express their fears, manage anxiety, and overcome challenges. Through collaboration with educational, community service, and faith-based organizations, we strive to help young people successfully transition into adulthood with the confidence, resilience, and skills necessary to thrive in life.

Our vision is to create an environment where young people feel seen, heard, and fully supported as they navigate their journey into adulthood, empowering them to thrive and reach their full potential.

Our MISSION

Youth Connect 4 Mental Health stands as a visionary nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting youth and young adults by providing the resources and guidance they need to thrive emotionally, socially, and professionally. Through its community-based outreach programs, the organization focuses on mental health support, personal development, and education, creating an environment where young individuals can cultivate life skills, leadership, and community engagement. At its core, Youth Connect 4 Mental Health exists to empower at-risk youth, ensuring they have the necessary tools and support systems to successfully transition into adulthood.

The mission of Youth Connect 4 Mental Health stems from the understanding that young people today face unprecedented challenges. Growing up in uncertain times often leaves many feeling overwhelmed by societal pressures, mental health struggles, and a lack of proper guidance.

One of the key factors driving Youth Connect 4 Mental Health approach is the belief that every young person deserves access to opportunities and resources, regardless of their background or circumstances. This philosophy reflects the organization commitment to acceptance and access, as it works tirelessly to bridge the gap between the support that youth need and the challenges they face.

WORK SLIDER - To hide this section completely add this line of code into the bottom of the main_style.css file: #work-slider {display:none}

Connecting Youth to Their Future Through Mental Health

events

TALK YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH

Join us for an unforgettable evening of inspiration, connection, and purpose at the Youth Connect 4 Mental Health (YC4MH) 1st Annual Scholarship Banquet. This special event brings together community leaders, families, and supporters who are passionate about empowering youth and advancing mental health awareness. Guests will enjoy a dynamic night filled with live entertainment, a delicious catered meal, exciting door prizes, and meaningful opportunities to connect all while supporting scholarships that make a real difference in the lives of young people.

The evening will feature an inspiring message from special guest speaker Coach Wesley Fluellen, a former NBA professional and founder of Fundamentals First Basketball Academy, whose story of discipline, perseverance, and purpose is sure to motivate and uplift attendees of all ages. The banquet will be held on Monday, July 27th, 2025, at 5:30 PM at the Lima City Club in Lima, Ohio. Tickets are just $25, offering an accessible way to be part of an impactful and elegant experience. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in the future, strengthen community bonds, and help build a brighter path forward for our youth.

 VIDEOS  

photos

    Email us for more information 

SERVICE SLIDER - To hide this section completely add this line of code into the bottom of the main_style.css file: #service-slider {display:none}

OUR TEAM

We recognized the need of this work after years of working with youth-focused organizations across various sectors, including education, community service, and faith-based initiatives. What became clear to us was the shortage of safe, supportive environments where at-risk youth could express their fears, anxieties, and aspirations without judgment. In a society where mental health issues are often stigmatized, Youth Connect 4 Mental Health serves as a safe haven for young people who may otherwise feel isolated or misunderstood.

Yvonne C. Jones/President

REBA WALL 
MEMBER

Carmella Banks/Secretary

Attorney Chenelle Smith/Member

RUBY NEWSOM
MEMBER

Faith Johnson/Member

LANAE Brown/Youth Member

CONTACT US

​
PHONE: 419-303-8552 | EMAIL: [email protected]

YOUTH REGISTER

​SPONSORSHIP FORM
STAFF SLIDER - To hide this section completely add this line of code into the bottom of the main_style.css file: #staff-slider {display:none}

TESTIMONIALS

  • LaNae Brown​

    - Mental health is an important topic to discuss and this discussion has helped me in many ways. A lot of people don’t talk about their health and wellbeing. A reason behind that is because they don’t feel like they have a safe place to vent. Before I got in touch with Youth Connect 4 Mental Health, I felt like I didn’t have a way or know how to vent and handle certain situations that can affect my health. Youth Connect 4 Mental Health taught me techniques that can help deal with
    transitioning into becoming an employee for the very first time and having to work with different
    types of people. YC4MH has helped provide a safe place for me to talk about things mentally
    and emotionally and this is important especially in younger people.

  • Somiala Johnson​

    - Hi my name is Somiala Johnson Im 14 years old and I go to Lima Senior High School. Ive been attending the summer youth connect for two years now and have learned many things and met a lot of new people. Being here it allowed me to branch off and talk to people who I would
    usually not talk to. This summer program has helped me navigate in a positive direction
    because the positive mentors always helped me if I had a question or problem with something I
    needed an answer to. This past year we focused on youth mental health through the Youth
    Connect 4 Mental Health program. I was able to transition from middle school to high school
    fairly easily due to knowing I had support from family and friends. The youth connect class
    taught me to look to God not my own strength when faced with obstacles. I had received some
    great information that helped me to focus more on my school work and personal goals. I am so
    thankful for this program and will continue to be a part of it.

  • Dejaun Jones​

    - It’s tough being a teenager in today’s world and mental health is a real thing. I learned how to switch the flip and calm myself down. There’s always reason for a teenager to be stressed out in life, but having tools to help me make better decisions is crucial for becoming a better person. Always reassuring myself that I can handle most issues better when I’m calm. Just keep
    remembering that I got this. I will definitely recommend this program to any young person.​

tHANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Your donation will have a direct impact on the lives of young people in our community  by providing the resources  and guidance they need to thrive emotionally, socially, and professionally. Please scan QR Code below to donate. Valor Banking is a safe and secure site.
Bridges Mental Health Services
Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church
Farley K. BanksLaw Offices
Picture
Website by cagedesignllc