Editor’s Note: This is the second installment in a series of articles focused on the partner agencies and programs that are served by the United Way in Montgomery County.
Located in the former Mills School off Pike St., the Montgomery County Youth Service Bureau has served around 4,000 youth annually since its inception in 1971. Its primary mission: to foster a healthy environment to prevent or avert in-progress juvenile delinquency. The Bureau achieves this mission through its 10 programs; each are tailored depending on the needs and objectives of youth participants.
“Like any significant social problem, there’s not just one solution,” said Karen Branch, the executive director of the Youth Service Bureau. “Each program targets different areas of supporting youth to help prevent delinquency in our community.”
The Bureau receives around 200-300 youth per year who have gone through the probation process. It also receives youth who committed ‘status offenses’, which are actions that aren’t considered criminal when over the age of 18. These often include truancy and running away from home.
“Truancy is especially a big issue in our community,” Branch said.
Assistant Executive Director Calli Mayotte will step into the role of executive director upon Branch’s retirement at the end of December. A Montgomery County native, Mayotte has advocated for youth throughout her career at different capacities both locally and abroad. She will begin her tenure in January next year.
“Being able to help lead the staff and support the youth at the Bureau is a big honor for me,” said Mayotte. “Youth are our future, so being a bridge that’ll lead to their future success is the ultimate goal for me.”
One of the programs the Bureau manages is REINdear: a county-wide initiative that offers gift assistance to families during the holiday season. Active since 2003, it has helped with the collection and disbursement of Christmas presents to around 1,200 children per year. Applications are currently being accepted for the 2026 holiday season, which can be found on their website at mcysb.org.
Another is Youth as Resources, which is a philanthropic venture that teaches youth about raising money for community service projects and non-profit groups. It is organized by a youth-led governing board guided by adult advisors, where they decide grant recipients and host fundraisers. Eligible organizations include schools, churches, crisis centers, etc.
Teen Court is another program headed by the Youth Service Bureau, which focuses on impartial and restorative justice to first-time offenders ages 9 through 17 who committed a non-violent criminal act. Eligible youth defendants are diverted from the juvenile court system into Teen Court to go before a jury of their peers and to receive a disposition. Upon successful completion, the offense will not appear on the defendant’s criminal record.
Its Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program recruits and trains adult volunteers to become an advocate for children going through the court system as a victim of abuse and/or neglect. These court-appointed individuals serve as a voice for the child during court sessions, where recommendations favoring the victim’s best interests are offered.
“A young lady who came through our CASA program went on to become a social worker herself after completing college,” Branch said. “She now works with foster children, so seeing that transformation first-hand is what we aim to bring to our youth in modern times.”
Drug Free Montgomery County is also spearheaded by the Bureau. It facilitates preventative resources to youth and adults alike who are struggling with substance abuse disorder. Some of their initiatives include the Quick Response Team, the Recovery Coalition, and the Prevention Council. Those who are seeking treatment options can visit drugfreemoco.org, or call 765-401-6200.
The Bureau’s Nourish program was founded in 2014 to address food insecurity for county families. Around 127 backpacks per weekend have been prepared and delivered by volunteers to local schools, which are then disbursed to families in need.
Its Child Abuse Prevention Council meets every second Monday of the month to discuss prevention strategies and organize training sessions for each of the county schools. They also conduct community education events twice per year discussing topics such as internet safety.
“We have a high child abuse rate in Montgomery County,” Branch said. “We want to educate the community on victim support and abuse prevention.”
The Bureau also operates two alternative school classrooms: one for high school students; the other for middle school students. Both offer a path to credit recovery for youth struggling with the traditional learning setting, which can lead to graduation. So far this year, high school students have recovered 91 credits, with three graduating early. Only referrals from the student’s county school corporation are accepted. It is certified by the Indiana Department of Education.
“Contrary to popular belief, alternative schools are not for ‘bad kids’,” Branch added. “They are for kids who need a non-traditional setting to be able to learn successfully.”
Inspire is a group consisting of middle and high school girls who meet twice a month. This program serves as a safe space for participants to talk among their peers and discuss present and future issues in their lives. Trips, crafts, and group mentoring sessions are some of the common activities.
Free mental health services led by trained specialists are also available on-site at the Bureau. This is to address long waiting lists for youth at local centers.
Lastly, its Juvenile Mentoring Program (JUMP) matches trained adult mentors to children between the ages of 6 and 14, where positive relationships are developed through guidance and encouragement: akin to the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. Groups also get to embark on fun adventures during the summer, such as bowling and going to the waterpark. Adult volunteers must at least be 21 years of age, and pass an extensive background check.
All of the listed initiatives are funded solely by donations and grants. The United Way in Montgomery County is one of the Bureau’s largest sources of financial support.
“The beauty of the United Way is that the money we receive can be used where it’s most needed,” Branch said. “Having flexibility on how we use it based on our year-to-year budget is invaluable to us.”
The United Way in Montgomery County has given the Youth Service Bureau $55,000 in 2025.
“In my opinion, the reason why people should donate to the United Way is that any small amount can make a big impact,” Branch said. “They are probably going to help someone you know in some way. What you give in a payroll deduction may not seem much, but it’ll ultimately support our county in a variety of ways.”
The United Way in Montgomery County is raising $320,000 in 2026 to help local non-profits like the Youth Service Bureau to continue providing their services. Learn more about their impacts by visiting www.uwlafayette.org/montgomery.
Kurtis Broadstreet is the 2026 campaign chair for the United Way in Montgomery County.
