Directions for Youth & Families

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Directions for Youth & Families

Improving lives of individuals, families, and communities through counseling, education, and support.

--Directions for Youth & Families is a private, not-for-profit organization with a history of over 110 years of service to youth and families in central Ohio. Directions’ staff annually serve more than 7,500 children and their families in 20 different programs.

--Programs provide individual, group and family counseling, prevention education, and support services. Services are provided in homes, schools, community centers and offices.

--Schools, juvenile court, parents, hospitals, social service agencies, churches, businesses, and concerned community members make referrals to the programs. Some services have a sliding scale fee, and some are without cost to clients.

--All programs are outcome based, have specific objectives, and are monitored for quality.

--Crisis support services for current clients are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

03/11/2026

Directions for Youth & Families is excited to partner with MatchPoint to host a Pickleball Tournament! 🏓

All proceeds from the event will support the important mental health and prevention work Directions for Youth & Families provides to youth and families across the community.

The tournament will take place Saturday, April 11 from 1:00–4:00 PM at MatchPoint. Registration is $30 per person.

Grab a paddle, bring a friend, and join us for a fun afternoon! Please register using the link in the bio. We can’t wait to see you on the court!

03/11/2026

Directions for Youth & Families is excited to host our very first Pickleball Tournament!🏓 All proceeds from the event will support the important mental health and prevention work we do in the community.

The tournament will take place Saturday, April 11 from 1:00–4:00 PM at MatchPoint. Registration is $30 per person.

If you or someone you know would like to participate, please register using the link below. We are excited to see you there!

https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Events/Details/17037/4YTNB8S17037565?resId=47493399

03/04/2026

Inspire Us is almost here! In less than ONE month, we’re gathering for a powerful evening of purpose, passion, and possibility. ✨

Join us on March 24th 6:00–7:30 PM at the Villa Milano as our incredible student leaders take the stage to share how they’re creating real change through service-learning. Their stories will move you. Their impact will inspire you.

Tickets are available now, grab yours through the link in our bio.

Come ready to be inspired. Leave ready to make a difference. We can’t wait to see you there!💙

02/28/2026

Our after-school youth closed out Black History Month with a celebration that included powerful performances and thoughtful works of art.

Black History Month is a time to reflect on the past, while empowering the future. Celebrating the achievements, influence, and legacy of Black History and Black people while also honoring the Black voices that continue to shape our community.

This month, and every month, we are proud to be a part of this community, and we are honored to work alongside you.

02/20/2026

This National Leadership Day we are celebrating the future leaders in our See Kids Dream (SKD) program! 🌟

Through SKD's service-learning curriculum, students research causes that are important to them and work together to find ways to help.

In this program, students develop and use skills like empathy, communication, and collaboration to find creative solutions to real problems, all the while being leaders of positive change in their communities!

Empowering compassionate leaders is what SKD is all about. Today, and everyday, we are excited to see these future leaders in action and we are hopeful for a bright future in their hands.

02/10/2026

Join us for Inspire Us, an evening of inspiration, impact, and powerful student voices.

On March 24th, our student leaders will take center stage to share how they’re changing the world through service-learning in the See Kids Dream program. From learning the fundamentals of philanthropy, to researching nonprofits, interviewing community leaders, and creating real projects that give back, this is youth leadership in action.

Inspire Us gives you a sneak peek into the program and the opportunity to hear directly from the kids about how serving their community is shaping who they are becoming.

Your support makes this possible. Proceeds from the event directly support service-learning within schools allowing us to reach more students, partner with more educators, and invest in the next generation of compassionate leaders.

Click the link in our bio to purchase a ticket, host a table, or become a sponsor. Lasagna dinner included!💙

02/09/2026

Grab your galentines and get ready for this year's Sips & Scents event!

On Wednesday, February 11th Worthington Candle Works and for an evening to make a candle, make a difference 🕯️

Tickets are $55 and include a custom scented item of your choice from Worthington Candle Works and one glass of wine from House Wine. With the help of skilled staff, you'll create your own custom scent and take home your finished product.

All proceeds will go towards DFYF's programs and services.

Click the link below to purchase tickets 🎟️🍷
https://dfyf.networkforgood.com/events/95731-sips-scents-with-dfyf

Guests must be 21+

02/06/2026

🚨Fun Field Trip Alert 🚨

A few weeks back the youth in our after-school programs had the incredible experience of seeing The Nutcracker live at The Ohio Theater!

Thanks to BalletMet's KidTix Program, we were able to take youth from our Ohio Avenue and Crittenton centers to see this classic ballet performance. Many of the youth that attended are in our dance club and seeing professional dancers at work was a dream come true 🩰

Thank you for making this possible! ✨

01/28/2026

Have you heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? ❄️

SAD is a form of depression that can occur at any time of the year, but typically during the fall and winter months when there's less daylight.

Daylight can have a significant effect on the mental health of adults and kids alike and here's why:

-Daylight affects two important chemicals in our brains: serotonin and melatonin.

-When it’s sunny, the brain produces more serotonin. High levels of serotonin can boost feelings of happiness and well-being, while low levels can lead to depression.

-When it’s dark, the brain produces more melatonin. High levels of melatonin can cause you to feel sleepy and have less energy.

When the days are shorter and there's not much daylight, depression is much more likely to happen.

Luckily, there's some things you can do to help. Swipe to see some ways you can support yourself or a loved one when dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder ➡️

01/14/2026

📣Big News!📣

We are excited to announce that Amy Gordon will be the new CEO of Directions for Youth & Families.

Amy brings more than two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, community engagement, and behavioral health services. She previously served as founder of AEG Consulting, CEO of Communities In Schools of Ohio (),
and Family Specialist and Supervisor at Crittenton Family Services.

In her new role at DFYF, Amy will work to further expand access to community-based counseling and prevention programs and strengthen
community partnerships.

While today marks her first day as CEO, we are confident that Amy will continue to advance DFYF's mission and we look forward to the impact her leadership will have on the Central Ohio community.

Click the link to read the full announcement:https://dfyf.org/wp-content/uploads/CEO-Announcement-Press-Release-12-2026.pdf

01/09/2026

Grab your galentines and get ready for this year's Sips & Scents event!

On February 5th we're partnering with and for an evening to make a candle, make a difference 🕯️

Tickets are $55 and include a custom scented item of your choice from Worthington Candle Works and one glass of wine from House Wine. With the help of skilled staff, you'll create your own custom scent and take home your finished product.

All proceeds will go towards DFYF's programs and services.

Click the link to purchase tickets: https://dfyf.networkforgood.com/events/95731-sips-scents-with-dfyf

Guests must be 21+ 🎟️🍷

12/31/2025

What is the power of youth?

Is it boundless imagination? Limitless potential? A bold sense of adventure?

However you define the power of youth, here at DFYF we know one thing for sure. All children possess the power for positive change.

Every child has the capacity to heal, grow, and overcome challenges. They just need the opportunity to do so.

That's where you come in. You can make a difference.

With your help, we can give children and families a safe space, a listening ear, and a helping hand.

Together we can give every child the opportunity to be healthy and pursue big dreams 💚

Click the link to give today: https://dfyf.networkforgood.com/projects/206595-support-dfyf-s-programs-services?utm_campaign=dms_email_blast_2938506

Address

1515 Indianola Avenue
Columbus, OH
43201

Website

http://www.dfyf.org/

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