2024 Hope Highlights

More than 800 Frankfort youth have been impacted by incarceration. What did we do this year to bring hope to youth and families?

1. We matched 43 MENTORS this year! That is 43 people building relationships with one of our youth. That is 43 hours a week of volunteer work for Wanda J. That is 43 of our kids that are getting extra love and support on a weekly basis. That is AMAZING.
2. In spring of 2024, we moved our office to Thorn Hill Education Center. This partnership has allowed both of us to expand programs and resources such as Alateen, Family Literacy, Classes, Family Support, Events and much more.
3. We opened up a Ky Saves 529 account. Starting out, we have listed ten beneficiaries- kids of fathers who are participating in our FatherHood Reentry group. They each have ^$250 in savings that will be given directly to a secondary institution upon their high school graduation and enrollment in college or career certification programs.
4. Through an amazing partnership with Just Say Yes and grant funding, we were able to provide more than 350 of our kids with a ^$400 Yes Card in 2024. A Yes Card is an electronic gift card that can be used to pay for youth activities from a list of approved providers in Franklin County. It is part of Just Say Yes, a youth wellness and substance use prevention initiative that encourages positive support for young people in Franklin County.
5. We distributed more than 250 food boxes! Locals Food Hub and Pizza Pub provided food boxes every other Friday and our volunteers and staff delivered boxes to our families as needed. 
6. Our staff ongoingly worked with more than 15 community organizations to share resources, accomplish more and support Frankfort.
7. We awarded seven seniors with the Adam Hyatt Memorial Scholarship in the amount of ^$1,000 each. 
8. We held two graduations inside the Franklin County Regional Jail for Parenting Inside Out classes.
9. We started FatherHood, a re-entry support program for fathers. 
10. More than 325 students participated in our weekly school based social emotional support groups- thanks to our 24 amazing KRUSH leaders!

According to the 2024 Planet Youth Survey, within one year, our kids have had significant improvements in mental and physical health, having adults at school who care about them, feeling like it is easy to get care and warmth from their caregiver, trying their best at school, sleeping on average 8 hours or more a night, and participating in at least one structured activity a week. 

It’s working. 

We are making a difference. 

Thanks for being here, 

Wanda J