Mount Vernon/Knox County Exchange Club Starts TVN Youth of the Month Program
MOUNT VERNON - The Exchange Club of Mount Vernon/Knox County will sponsor a Youth of the Month Program in conjunction with The Village Network-Mount Vernon/Knox County (TVN). Each month one resident from the TVN-Children's Resource Center (CRC) will have the opportunity to tell his or her story of survival and growth. The program will launch at the September meeting.
The Village Network has a long-standing, awarding winning history of success in helping troubled and traumatized boys and girls prepare for positive, productive lives. The national project of the Exchange Club is the prevention of child abuse making the partnership a natural fit according to Jerry Hartman, program director, TVN-Mt. Vernon/Knox County.
Earlier this year, TVN presented a general information program at the local Exchange Club meeting. One of the topics covered was youth recognition program said Hartman. The boys and girls chosen receive a plaque and the opportunity to speak at the monthly meeting.
The similar program has operated for several years at the Exchange Club of Wooster where residents of TVN-Boys' Village Campus work for the honor of being chosen to present at a monthly meeting.
"The opportunity to speak at Exchange Club is a coveted reward," said Hartman. "The Youth of the Month distinction is point of pride. It goes to those who achieve their individualized therapy goals and is viewed as a solid step forward."
The CRC at TVN-Mt. Vernon/Knox County offers a co-education residential program for 20 youth and operates under the Trauma Informed Care (TIC) modality. It also houses Transitional Living space for older adolescents. Other services include Day Treatment, Treatment Foster Care, Respite Care and crisis assessment services.
The Village Network Mt. Vernon location is the result of a partnership with the Knox County Department of Job and Family Services. TVN-Mt. Vernon/Knox County is one of 10 TVN facilities located in communities across the state including Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Columbus, Delaware, Newark, Uhrichsville, Sandusky and Wooster. For more information, visit http://www.thevillagenetwork.org/.