<p><strong>To the editor:</strong></p><p>Youth Connections, a 501(c)-3 nonprofit, has happily been serving youth ages 7-17 in Johnson County since 1975. As with many nonprofits these days, Youth Connections is struggling to find and maintain funding.</p><p>Recently, we received some devastating news about one of our programs. Our Safe Place program is in jeopardy. Due to a change in attitude by the federal government for runaway and homeless youth in rural communities, part of our funding has ended a year before it was scheduled to. This has caused Youth Connections to lose $53,000 in federal funding by the end of the year; and possibly lose the Safe Place program in its entirety.</p><p>This is a program that has helped thousands of youth over the years.</p><p>Whether it’s helping a child through a call or text, directing a youth to one of the 100 Safe Place locations in Johnson County, guiding a youth on social media issues, or giving information through a school presentation on topics important for the youth of today, the Safe Place program helps children for any reason, on any day of the year, at any time. We are here 24/7!</p><p>We realize our overall financial situation needs to be strengthened and we are taking steps to improve this situation. But we still need your help.</p><p>As the holiday season approaches, we are asking the community to assist Youth Connections with a donation to help us continue not only our Safe Place program but our other valuable programs: Jumpstart Mentoring, Safe Place, Custody Evaluations, Children’s Visitation, Families in Transition, Human Trafficking awareness and Host Homes.</p><p>With your support, Youth Connections will be able to continue to enhance the quality of life for youth and their families in our community.</p><p>To make your gift, please send it to Youth Connections, 1195 N. Morton St., Suite A, Franklin, IN 46131 or for more information, call 317-738-3273.</p><p><p><strong>Judith R. Olds</strong></p><p><p><strong>Executive director</strong></p>
