About WYN

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Where we've been...

To answer a community's cry for more local services for youth in 1985, Watauga Youth Network (WYN) was created. WYN, originally housed at New River Mental Health, received grant funding for its first program through the NC Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's (DJJDP) Governor's One-on-One initiative.

In 1990 the WYN Board of Directors struck an ambitious deal with WAMY Community Action and began an intensive campaign to raise funds for remodeling. Over the following three years, WYN secured almost $300,000 in contributions from foundations, Watauga County, the Town of Boone, local businesses and individual donors. The former abandoned community eye-sore was completely overhauled into a recreation space for youth as well as administrative space for the WYN staff.

With a long-term home secured, WYN could again concentrate intensively on providing services and supports to Watauga County youngsters and their families. 1994 was a banner fund raising year for WYN, receiving grant support from the High Country United Way and the DJJDP Support Our Students (SOS) initiative.

In 2002, WYN began expanding services to other counties. With additional grant funds from DJJDP's Governor's One-On-One Mentoring Program, they began a "half time" mentoring program in Avery County to complement the "full time" program that had been operating in Watauga since 1985. In August of 2004, New River Behavioral HealthCare asked WYN to expand its Prevention services to more youth in Watauga County and to make them available to students in Avery and Ashe Counties as well.

...and where we're going

As WYN celebrates over 20 years of service to youth and families of the High Country, the Board of Directors and staff have taken a good look at the future and have prioritized programs and initiatives that will further meet the needs of Watauga County youth and families.

WYN has a strong desire to become teachers in the near future. We envision educating others on the behavior management philosophies that have made WYN so successful over the years. As a result, we plan to have a larger presence as facilitators at trainings, conferences, and local events. We are excited to share what we have learned over the years with others, so that we may all be more successful in serving youth and families.

Additionally, WYN hopes to soon have a counselor on staff so that we may further serve the needs of our clients and their families. We feel that it is important to offer a wide array of services that meet our families where they are, and we are excited about pursuing this initiative in the months to come.

Though WYN has a new look and redefined focus for the future, the community can rest assured that the heart of WYN remains unchanged. We take the time to build relationships. We meet kids where they are and introduce them to good role models. We give kids a safe place to be and grow.

We dare kids to discover what's possible. We are helping the kids of the High Country challenge themselves, learn about others and find their place in our community and our world.

This is the WYN mission and direction for the forseeable future.

Board of Directors

Dr. Jim Deni,  (2003)
ASU Psychology Professor

Dr. Jan Rienerth (1985)
ASU Sociology Professor

Kendal McDevitt, Chair (2008)
ASU Off-Campus Coordinator

Bob Neill, Treasurer (2009)

Staff

Executive Director
Jennifer Grubb
e-mail

After School Program Director
Angela Grimes
e-mail

Prevention Director
Ronny Holste
e-mail

Mentoring Specialist
Angela McMann
e-mail

Development Director
Hollie Storie
e-mail

Prevention Specialist, Ashe, Alleghany County
Shelby Dowell
e-mail

Mentoring Specialist (Avery Co.)
Janet Shook
e-mail

After School
Grace Fortune

Matt Jenkins

Stephen Fowler

Krista White

Luke Eggers