Helping Youth Find Direction, Purpose, and Opportunity

New Direction Youth Initiative empowers youth in Licking County through mentorship, life skills, career exploration, and positive community connections.

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What We Do

Building Strong Futures

We provide youth with practical skills and positive experiences that help them succeed at home, school, work, and in the community.

Program Focus Areas

🧠 Life Skills

  • Budgeting

  • Cooking

  • Communication

  • Goal Setting

🤝 Mentorship

  • Positive adult role models

  • Leadership development

  • Confidence building

🔨 Career Exploration

  • Trades

  • Healthcare

  • Public Safety

  • Local Businesses

❤️ Community Engagement

  • Volunteer projects

  • Service opportunities

Why We Do What We Do

Every Young Person Deserves a Chance to Thrive

Many youth simply need support, guidance, and exposure to positive opportunities.

Through hands-on learning and mentorship, we help young people:

✓ Build confidence

✓ Develop practical life skills

✓ Explore career pathways

✓ Strengthen decision-making skills

✓ Create positive community connections

As New Direction Youth Initiative grows, we are looking for community members, businesses, churches, and organizations who want to help make a difference in the lives of local youth.

Volunteers & Program Support

  • Mentors

  • Guest speakers

  • Life skills instructors

  • Trade professionals (electricians, HVAC, plumbing, construction, mechanics, etc.)

  • Healthcare professionals

  • Tutors

  • Career coaches

  • Event volunteers

  • Transportation assistance

Food & Meal Support

Many of the youth we serve do not have consistent access to healthy meals and snacks.

We are seeking:

  • Healthy snacks

  • Bottled water

  • Juice boxes

  • Sports drinks

  • Meal sponsorships

  • Restaurant gift cards

  • Grocery store gift cards

  • Fresh fruit and vegetables

  • Sandwich supplies

  • Grab-and-go meal items

Program Supplies

  • Paper plates

  • Napkins

  • Plastic silverware

  • Cups

  • Cleaning supplies

  • Storage bins

  • Dry erase markers

  • Printer paper

  • Notebooks

  • Pens and pencils

School Supply Assistance

  • Backpacks

  • Folders

  • Binders

  • Notebooks

  • Pens and pencils

  • Crayons and markers

  • Calculators

  • Headphones

  • Hygiene kits for students

Hygiene & Personal Care Items

  • Shampoo

  • Conditioner

  • Body wash

  • Deodorant

  • Toothbrushes

  • Toothpaste

  • Hair brushes

  • Feminine hygiene products

  • Laundry detergent

  • Socks

Career Exploration & Life Skills Donations

  • Basic tool kits

  • Safety glasses

  • Work gloves

  • Measuring tapes

  • Cooking supplies

  • Kitchen utensils

  • Aprons

  • Budgeting and financial literacy materials

  • Interview clothing assistance

  • Work boots

  • Trade equipment demonstrations

Let’s Work Together

Have an idea or a question? Send us a note and we’ll get back to you soon.