Grain Processing Supports Local Youth Mental Health with $10,000 Donation

WASHINGTON, Indiana (June 20, 2022) — For the third year in a row, Grain Processing Corporation (GPC) will support local youth and families with a donation to Youth First, a non-profit striving to strengthen youth and families through evidence-based programs that prevent substance abuse, promote healthy behaviors and maximize student success in southern and central Indiana.

“When we first heard about the presence of Youth First in our local schools and the positive work they were doing, it was an easy decision to get on board with our support,” said GPC Washington Plant Manager, John Dudenhoeffer. “Youth First Social Workers are in nearly all of the area schools where GPC employees’ children or grandchildren attend. This is one way that we can help support those families and the many challenges facing our youth today.”

The $10,000 donation from GPC, a member of the KENT Corporation family of companies, will help Youth First place master’s level social workers in all three Daviess County school corporations, where they have been serving student needs since 2016. 

“Having a Youth First Social Worker in the building is just invaluable,” says Washington Jr. High School Principal Mark Arnold. “I really believe it helps our students with challenges better adjust so they can perform in school, so they can see their potential, and they have a person to work with them on a very consistent basis. We’re helping a lot of kids, and we’re making an investment in our entire community one family at a time.”

Students across the country are dealing with increased depression and anxiety, and Youth First helps develop the essential life skills needed to overcome life’s challenges. Currently, 3,600 Daviess County students have access to these free services as well as students at neighboring schools like Pike Central and Loogootee.

“Daviess is a rural county, so our mental health resources are limited,” said Leah Lottes, the Youth First Social Worker at Barr-Reeve Schools. “Having a Youth First Social Worker at school is so simple, easy to access, and creates an open avenue for meaningful change. I see kids from Mennonite and Amish families, from transient families, from minority populations, and from families that have lived here forever.”

Families of all backgrounds are benefitting from this program being available in Daviess County, and the generosity of businesses like GPC are what keep these services available and free to access. 

For more information please visit https://youthfirstinc.org/daviess/.

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About Youth First, Inc.
Youth First's mission is to strengthen youth and families through evidence-based programs that prevent substance abuse, promote healthy behaviors, and maximize student success. Youth First partners with 107 schools across 13 Indiana counties to provide 78 Master’s level social workers who assess needs, develop and implement prevention plans, and connect students and their families to vital resources. Youth First also offers community programs involving parents and caregivers to strengthen families. For more information about Youth First, please visit youthfirstinc.org.

About Grain Processing Corporation
GPC's primary products include alcohol, corn starches and maltodextrins. GPC sells to customers that use GPC products in their end product such as beverage alcohol, food products, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, personal care and industrial starch applications. GPC is known for the highest quality products in the markets they serve.

About KENT Corporation
Kent Corporation is a diversified, privately-held corporation with operating subsidiaries involved in corn wet milling, the production of animal nutrition and the manufacture of high-quality food, beverage, pharmaceutical and pet products. Kent is led by third-generation family member Gage A. Kent. The Kent family of companies serves customers across the world and employs approximately 2,000 people in 40 locations across 20 states and seven countries.