Carmel Youth Assistance Program (CYAP) has received a $200,000 grant from the Alan and Linda Cohen Family Foundation to expand transportation services and support local families.

Since CYAP’s inception in 2015, Early Intervention Advocate Maggie Figge has observed a recurring challenge among its families: lack of access to reliable transportation.

According to Figge, “Access to reliable transportation is a critical barrier for families, and often the missing piece to success and self-sufficiency. Without reliable transportation, families are forced to pursue jobs within proximity to their homes or along public transportation lines. However, Carmel has been without public transportation since Indy Express stopped serving the city in late 2016. We are immensely grateful to the Alan and Linda Cohen Family Foundation for also recognizing this need and partnering with us to support families and provide solutions to these challenges.”

With the investment from the Alan and Linda Cohen Family Foundation, CYAP aims to enhance its impact on transportation challenges, facilitating broader access and removing obstacles for local families. The organization seeks to enable access to mental health services and pro-social activities like camps, sports, and clubs, while also addressing summer learning loss through educational opportunities during breaks.

Furthermore, CYAP plans to broaden access to tutoring, leveraging volunteers for one-on-one sessions twice a week, with a specific focus on reading and math skills. In 2023, CYAP assisted 30 youth through mentoring and tutoring and aspires to expand its services with additional transportation support. The organization remains committed to catering to diverse family needs, particularly addressing the scheduling challenges faced by ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained) families, enabling them to achieve their full potential.

About Alan and Linda Cohen Family Foundation

The Alan and Linda Cohen Family Foundation was formed in 1997 and is a private foundation located in Carmel, IN. The Foundation primarily funds to support operating expenses for its grantees.

Learn more about Alan and Linda Cohen Family Foundation at https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/cohen-family-foundation,352003440/. 

About Carmel Youth Assistance Program

Carmel Youth Assistance Program (CYAP) serves as an early intervention advocate for youth ages 3-17 residing within the boundaries of Carmel-Clay Schools who are facing challenging life circumstances. Leveraging the distinct legal authority of our Early Intervention Advocates, we collaborate closely with schools, law enforcement, and the judicial system to craft comprehensive intervention strategies. We coordinate our community’s vast array of talents, services, and resources to help youth and empower parents and caregivers.

CYAP is dedicated to promoting equity for every young person in our community. We strive to empower youth by identifying their needs and connecting them with resources to become successful. Ultimately, empowering them to confidently advocate for themselves.

For more information, contact Maggie Figge at Maggie.figge@hamiltoncounty.in.gov.