By AMY ADAMS
news@readthereporter.com
When Gráinne McConnell and her husband Graeme decided to build a house in Westfield in January 2021, she knew immediately that she wanted to find a way to give back to the community.
“My mum taught us the importance of giving back, of helping those around us,” McConnell said.
Maria Gillespie, a single mom and mental health nurse working hard to make ends meet in Northern Ireland, taught her five children about benevolence and philanthropy by her example. Though she passed away unexpectedly in 2022, she is remembered in her community for her generosity, including fostering around 40 children through the years.
Graeme’s career as a biomedical engineer brought the McConnells and their two children to the U.S. in 2019 after previously moving from Ireland to London and to Heidelberg, Germany.
A friend from the German-American community here told Gráinne about the Westfield Youth Assistance Program (WYAP).
In 2009, Mayor Andy Cook and Hamilton County Judge Steve Nation spearheaded the team that formed WYAP to help keep young people out of the justice system and ensure they stay on a positive path. They modeled it after a successful program in Oakland County, Mich., that began in 1953. WYAP serves youth ages 3 to 17 in the Westfield Washington School District, along with their families.
The program has since expanded to Noblesville, Fishers, Hamilton Heights, Carmel, and Sheridan. With a holistic, family-centered approach, Hamilton County Youth Assistance Program empowers young people who are facing challenging life circumstances. By cutting through red tape, the program provides confidential access to resources and services at no cost to families.
“We should be more than proud as a county that this started in Westfield,” said WYAP Early Intervention Advocate Megan Contreras. “It’s a program that works, and it’s not something that every community is fortunate to have. People across the state and nation are looking to us to start programming within their counties, too.”
WYAP offers the only one-to-one community mentoring program in Westfield, which matches youth with mentors like McConnell. Following thorough background checks and extensive interviews, advocates pair interested young people with carefully selected role models.
WYAP holds to the “rule of five” principle of Derek Peterson, founder of Integrative Youth Development, which says every young person needs five caring, committed adults pouring into their lives.
Last week, Westfield Washington Schools invited Derek Peterson, founder of Integrative Youth Development, to meet with school mentors and other organizations in the city, including the Westfield Youth Assistance Program. Seen here are WYAP board members, early intervention advocates, mentors and tutors with Derek Peterson. (From left) Mike Smith, Debbie Laird, Amy Prater, Kristina Logan, Brittany Winebar, Tammy Havard, Sarah Gilim, Kyle Miller, Megan Contreras, Derek Peterson, and Chad Gross. (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)
WYAP mentors commit to spending one hour each week with their mentees. McConnell freely admits to spending more time with her mentee Ashley.
“She’s like a member of my family now,” McConnell said. “She’s so good with my kids, and my daughter, particularly, just loves her and thinks she’s so beautiful.”
Like McConnell, Ashley immigrated to the U.S. She moved with her family from Honduras to Florida and then to Westfield around four or five years ago.
Gráinne and Ashley often go to coffee shops as they did on their first outing. Two of their favorite activities have been The LUME at Newfields and the Headless Horseman Festival at Conner Prairie. In August, they had the opportunity to enjoy VIP treatment in the Mayor’s Suite at Colts Training Camp with a few other mentors and mentees.
“We both come from countries that support soccer more, so it was really neat for us to experience,” McConnell said. “It’s just a nice feeling that it’s your local team, and that they’re in Westfield makes it so much more special.”
Though many associate Hamilton County Youth Assistance with the mentoring program, it offers many services.
Advocates walk alongside young people and families to assess needs and offer connections for mental health supports, school attendance and behavior plans, and basic needs like food and clothing. The program incorporates a strengths-based approach through tutoring, camps, and other enrichment opportunities to ensure that youth are engaged and thriving.
“Our referrals are growing exponentially, and that comes with the need for our county leaders and residents to invest in us,” Contreras said.
WYAP needs more funds as well as more volunteers. One young man has been waiting for a mentor for several years.
“We need people who will step up like Gráinne,” Contreras said.
WYAP hopes to raise $200,000 at the annual Yellow Tie Gala fundraiser coming up from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Bridgewater Club. For tickets, go to WestfieldYellowTieGala.com. To find out more about services, to enroll a young person, or to fill out a volunteer application, visit YouthAssistance.org.