KNOX – The Starke County Youth Club (SCYC), in partnership with the Northern Indiana Community Foundation (NICF), is launching a countywide Youth-Based Needs Assessment to better understand the needs, challenges, and opportunities facing young people throughout Starke County.
The project will gather input from youth, families, educators, employers, community organizations, and local leaders to help guide future priorities and strengthen services for local youth.
The assessment will include surveys, focus groups, interviews, and a review of community data to better understand issues affecting youth, including mental health, education, career readiness, family support, recreation, and access to local resources. Findings will be used to identify community strengths, service gaps, and recommendations for future action.
“Every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive, and that starts with listening,” said Irene Szakonyi, Executive Director of the Starke County Youth Club.
“We’re encouraging everyone to participate. The more voices we hear, the better equipped we’ll be to strengthen opportunities for young people across Starke County.”
The assessment will be conducted by Project Matters, an Indiana consulting firm specializing in community assessments and strategic planning. Working closely with SCYC and NICF, Project Matters will lead the community engagement process and help ensure broad participation from across the county.
Survey opportunities and focus groups will be announced in the coming weeks. Community participation will play a vital role in helping shape the future of youth services throughout Starke County.
