A clear reminder that the greatest difference we can make often starts early — by showing up, staying steady, and investing in a child before the world has a chance to wear them down.
At Champions of Youth, this truth shows up every day. The children they serve aren’t just statistics — they are young people carrying burdens no child should have to bear: grief, abandonment, addiction in the home, incarceration of one or even both parents. Over 99% live in poverty, and many live with someone other than a parent who is overwhelmed and just trying to hold everything together.
Yet hope is real, and it’s powerful. When a mentor steps in, lives begin to change. Children with mentors gain confidence, improve in school, and develop the social and emotional skills they need to thrive. Most importantly, they feel seen, valued, and begin to believe in themselves.
Since 2008, 100% of the kids matched in their Core Program have graduated from high school. That’s not just success — that’s transformation.
At Decatur County REMC, supporting programs like Champions of Youth is part of what it means to live our year of “Power with Purpose.” Reliable service is what we provide, but strengthening the community is what we believe in. When mentors help guide a young person toward a brighter future, that’s power, too — the kind that lasts far longer than a flipped switch.
Here’s the part where we stop pretending someone else will handle it. The program needs more mentors — right now. If we want to shape a stronger, steadier, better community, we all have a role to play. These kids don’t need perfection; they need presence.
Because when our kids win, our whole community wins. Learn more by visiting championsofyouth.org or calling 812-663-7556.
Mentors in their own words
Mentoring isn’t complicated — you don’t need special training or a long résumé of heroic deeds. You just need to show up, and the impact can be enormous.
“Champions of Youth has allowed me to build a meaningful relationship with a wonderful little girl, and all it takes is a little bit of my time. Seeing her run to me every time we meet never gets old and reminds me of the purpose. The impact you can have on a child’s life is priceless. Champions of Youth helps raise awareness and promote the positive impact this program has on youth in our community.”
—Nicole Stone
“Being a mentor is such a blessing. A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.” —Carrie Ogle
“As I worked with local youth for several years, I’ve noticed the lack of positive adult male role models for boys coming from broken or single-parent homes. These boys tend to struggle with school, making good friends, and often feel left out. Champions of Youth strives to bridge that gap and provide each child with a positive influence to help them grow during their teenage years. The biggest reward for being a mentor will be seeing him continue to grow in character and develop the confidence he will need to go through life.” —Gene Jackson
