February/March 2025
Photography // Courtesy of CYAP
Mark your calendars for an unforgettable evening benefiting the Carmel Youth Assistance Program (CYAP) on April 26, 2025, at Ritz Charles. This incredible event will raise vital funds to support at-risk youth ages 3-17 in our community by providing family services, tutoring, mentoring and essential resources to help them thrive.
CYAP has been a lifeline for so many children and families, offering them the opportunities and support necessary to overcome obstacles and build brighter futures. But CYAP needs YOUR help to continue making a lasting impact.
What to Expect at the Carmel Gala 2025
- Dinner & Dancing – Enjoy an elegant evening with delicious cuisine and lively entertainment.
- Entertainment – A night filled with music, special performances and inspiring stories.
- Silent Auction & Dessert Dash – Bid on exclusive items and indulge in a fun and competitive dessert auction!
- Special Celebration of CYAP’s Tenth Anniversary – Honoring a decade of serving over 800 youth in our community!
The Power of Early Intervention
With the many challenges children and families face today, early intervention is critical. Maggie Figge and Melissa Yarger, Early Intervention Advocates for CYAP, explained that programs like CYAP don’t just provide resources—they change lives. By intervening early, CYAP helps ensure that children receive the support they need to succeed academically, develop social skills and build a stable future.
“Our main focus this past year has been strengthening mentoring and tutoring programs with our new coordinator and addressing transportation needs,” Yarger shared. “Lack of transportation affects work, school pickups, appointments and daily activities, making life significantly harder for families. Providing reliable transportation will be life-changing, and we’re excited about the impact.”
The impact of CYAP is evident in real success stories—students overcoming adversity, excelling in school and becoming active members of the community. The program’s ongoing success relies on volunteers, donors and mentors who step up to provide critical resources for at-risk youth.
CYAP’s Impact in 2024:
- 102 youth served through CYAP’s various programs and services.
- 56 youth sent to summer and school break camps for enrichment opportunities.
- 613 mentor hours and 420 tutor hours committed by dedicated volunteers.
- Expansion of the Summer Bridge tutoring program from 14 to 22 students for additional academic support.
- 101 families connected with food and housing support services.
- 89 youth enrolled in pro-social, adult-led activities to foster healthy engagement.
Your support at the Carmel Gala ensures these efforts continue and grow, reaching even more children in need.
Expanding CYAP’s Impact
CYAP continues to evolve to meet the growing needs of the community. One of the most exciting developments has been the hiring of two full-time contractors to strengthen the organization’s impact.
- Amanda, Advancement Coordinator – Responsible for grant writing, development and marketing, ensuring that CYAP secures the resources necessary to expand its reach.
- Kyla Wagner, Program Coordinator – Oversees mentoring and tutoring programs, provides structured support to youth, and ensures successful participation in educational services.
These new staff members have already made a significant impact, allowing the CYAP team to focus on direct family support while enhancing fundraising and volunteer coordination.
Figge added, “With growing need, we need more mentors and community involvement. Our program coordinator, Kyla, has expanded the mentoring program by organizing events and onboarding new mentors. Currently, we have a waitlist of girls needing female mentors, which is unusual. We welcome all volunteers, and mentoring takes just an hour a week doing something fun.”
Addressing a Critical Need
One of the most pressing challenges facing the families CYAP serves is transportation. Without a reliable means of travel, families struggle to get to work, school, medical appointments and extracurricular activities. Carmel lacks public transportation, leaving many families with limited, costly alternatives like Uber or Lyft.
To address this gap, CYAP has launched a transportation initiative with funding from the Cohen Family Foundation. The goal is to provide used vehicles to qualifying families at a very low cost.
Families will complete a structured program that is under development but will include:
- Financial Basics 101 – Understanding budgeting and expenses related to vehicle ownership.
- Car Maintenance 101 – Learning essential car care, like changing a tire and checking oil levels.
- Accident Preparedness – Partnering with local law enforcement to teach drivers what to do in emergencies.
- Insurance & Ownership Education – Covering how to obtain and maintain proper insurance coverage.
This program is being designed with the help of local businesses, mechanics and law enforcement, ensuring that families gain both the knowledge and the resources needed to sustain vehicle ownership. While still in the early phases, this initiative promises to be life-changing for families who need reliable transportation.
Celebrating Ten Years of Service at the Carmel Gala
Since its founding in 2015, CYAP has been committed to uplifting youth and families in partnership with the Carmel Clay School District, the City of Carmel and the Hamilton County Superior Court. The organization provides services in a private, dignified and supportive manner, ensuring that struggling families receive the help they need without stigma or barriers.
This year’s Carmel Gala is particularly special as CYAP celebrates ten years of CYAP’s impact, having served over 800 youth in the community.
The funds raised at the Carmel Gala will help CYAP:
- Expand mentoring and tutoring programs for academic and social growth.
- Provide more youth scholarships for summer camps and after-school activities.
- Strengthen food, clothing and housing assistance for struggling families.
- Offer additional mental health and family support services to those in crisis.
- Support transportation initiatives that provide families with reliable travel options.
Every ticket purchased, donation made and volunteer hour given helps CYAP continue to Design Bright Futures for the youth in our community.
The tenth anniversary of CYAP is a milestone worth celebrating! Your participation in the Carmel Gala 2025 helps create a brighter future for our community’s children.
Together, we can continue to make a difference! Buy your tickets now and help us Design Bright Futures for our youth! Visit carmelyap.org to secure your spot.
