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YFIN Welcomes a New Executive Director

The Indianapolis Recorder - 2/17/2017

Valerie Parker, L.C.S.C., M.S.W., has joined the Young Families of Indiana Network (YFIN) as executive director.

YFIN programs include Future Promises, an outreach for pregnant and parenting teens designed to keep them in school and on a path toward success.

Prior to joining YFIN, Parker spent 16 years as a member of the Indiana Parole Board and worked as a victim advocate with the Marion County Prosecutor's Office where she assisted with felony cases, drunk driving cases resulting in death, and child support.

She also worked in counseling and social services for gang-oriented violent youth and sex offenders.

Parker says she always loved working with people, especially youth, which is what attracted her to the YFIN executive director position.

When a close friend of her daughter unexpectedly got pregnant during her sophomore year of college, Parker watched firsthand how friends and family worked together to help the young woman raise her child while working and attending school.

The Future Promises program offers this same kind of support network for the teens who participate. Pregnant and parenting teens are given the skills and encouragement to complete high school and become successful and productive adults.

"We want them to believe without a shadow of a doubt that they can have it all," Parker said. "It's going to take some work, but we have strong and committed case managers who are there on a moment's notice if they need support."

According to Parker, the program works one-on-one with teens to strengthen their skill sets and their ability to overcome barriers with school, family, and working a job in efforts to build a successful future.

"The staff [at YFIN] is phenomenal. They get out there and they respond and they know who to call and where to go and what to do," said Parker. "I think the more successes our participants have, the stronger their belief in themselves becomes ? and that's half the battle."