ADMINISTRATION
CHUCK KIME
Executive Director
Chuck has spent his career working with and for children. He believes FFY’s role is to help families raise children. His role is to connect our work with the greater community. Chuck encourages all of us to live up to the strong heritage that we’re trusted to carry forward.
ANDREW YOUNG
Associate Director
As Associate Director I oversee the operational success of the Foundation For Youth in terms of youth development outcomes, professional development and training, grant management, and setting organizational policy/procedure. I am Credentialed at the Professional Level for Child and Youth Care work and act as a trainer for the Professional Credentialing of all our youth care staff through The Child & Youth Care Certification Board. As a matter of best practice I oversee the full integration of the Developmental Assets into all of our programs.
NATHAN LARRISON
Youth Development Director
Nathan, like many youth in Columbus, grew up playing basketball at Foundation For Youth. Nathan began his employment with the organization as a Teen Staff. Over the years, he has worked in various titles such as REPS Site Coordinator, Camp Counselor, Lifeguard, Teen Programs Director,and Boys & Girls Club Director. In 2020, Nathan became the Youth Development Director leading the Boys & Girls Club and Columbus Youth Camp Directors. In these roles, he is passionate about identifying the unique needs of our youth and families. Nathan promises to always be a voice for our youth and our community by inspiring and enabling the lives of all.
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
KARINA WILLATS, C.F.R.E.
Chief Development Officer
Karina loves to share her passion for FFY, keeping our community donors and volunteers informed and inspired about our work. Her role is to develop and implement a strategic plan to raise vital funds to enable FFY programs to thrive.
EMILY MCLAUGHLIN
Resource Development Associate
Emily assists with marketing and fundraising for Foundation For Youth’s special events, working to ensure their success. With a Bachelor’s in Communication, Emily thrives on interaction with others, especially FFY’s community partners. She loves helping to build and maintain FFY’s relationships. She also assists with FFY’s website and social media management, allowing Emily to embrace her creative side.
BUSINESS OPERATIONS
TOM BROSEY
Business Operations Director
Tom joined FFY in 2005 and has been responsible for the business aspects of the FFY organization ever since. He leverages over 30 years of experience with Fortune 500 companies to lead, manage, and continuously improve FFY’s business practices.
TINA CUNNINGHAM
Business Operations Manager
Tina Cunningham has worked for Foundation For Youth since February 2015. She is the Business Operations Manager and wears many “hats”. Tina handles our Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Human Resources as well as having our Volunteer Coordinator and Customer Service Manager report to her. Tina managed Business Loan Operations for several banks for over 18 years before joining the FFY family!
ALYSSA DEVONISH
AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator
Alyssa is serving her second AmeriCorps term with FFY working with multiple programs as Volunteer Resource Manager. Alyssa completed her Bachelor's Degree in Business Marketing & Management from Indiana University. Alyssa works to achieve a high-quality experience for each and every volunteer, while also serving as a resource to our programs.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
DENISE JOHNSON
Customer Service Manager
Denise has spent her career in the customer service field for a variety of businesses and non-profit organizations. She has a passion for helping people. She is compassionate, caring, understanding and embraces the diversity of the position. In her free time she enjoys family, feeding her Koi Fish, and playing with her 2 puppies.
HEALTH & FITNESS
LAURA MOSES-WADSWORTH
Health and Fitness Director
Laura joined Foundation for Youth in July of 2006. Born and raised in Columbus, her interest is to provide opportunities for youth and adults of our community to explore and increase their abilities to be the best they can be. Attaining the Credential Professional Level for Child and Youth Care work, Laura believes it is important to meet youth and adults where they are. Especially as they participate in the many athletic, health and fitness programs, and through experiential learning!
ASHLEY MCDERMOTT
Athletic Director
Ashley has been with FFY since September 2016 where she started by serving as an AmeriCorps Volunteer. She was hired on part-time September 2017 as the Girls On The Run & Trailblazers Coordinator at the completion of her service year and exactly one year later moved into the position of Athletic Director September 2018. She still coordinates Girls On The Run and Trailblazers as well as the youth basketball and volleyball leagues and adult basketball league. Ashley loves seeing youth and adults participate in the athletic programs offered at FFY.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
ERICA FORTNER
Boys & Girls Club Director
They began working in the club in 2015 as the Assistant Director at Boys & Girls Club. Erica enjoys learning and growing with all throughout the Club and FFY. Life is a wild journey. We help navigate and support everyone in their own way including youth, families, and our lovely team.
TIM GREEN
Boys & Girls Club Assistant Director
Tim is the Assistant Director for the Boys & Girls Club and LifeSkills Training Director. They first came aboard as a volunteer with AmeriCorps working with the Teen Program, and is excited to now work with all the families at the Club. They are also in school classrooms teaching teens how to react to real life situations with compassion, honesty, and ingenuity through LifeSkills Training. Tim loves coffee, pop culture and baking cookies for their fellow co-workers.
TAMARA BROWN
Member & Parent Relations Specialist
Tamara began her time at FFY in March of 2018. She loves that her job includes getting to know the members and their families because of the relationships that she builds with them. She has three sons that always keep her busy. When she’s not at the Club, you can catch her cheering on her middle son wrestling for Lindsey Wilson College, rooting for her youngest son during basketball, soccer and running seasons, and offering advice to her oldest son starting out on his own with his fiancee. #boymom
HUNTER LARRISON
Lead Staff Head Counselor
Hunter began working in the Club in 2015, working on homework with #ffykids in the Cranium Bowl. Now, he is able to work with all of our youth in the Lead Staff Head Counselor role, where he mediates conflict between our members and helps with the everyday operations of the Club. Hunter loves being able to break away from responsibilities, and find his way into a pick-up basketball game with some of our #ffykids. Foundation For Youth has been a second home to Hunter since he was 16, and he loves being able to help provide that second home for others.
JOSH HOGAN
Digital Media Specialist/LifeSkills Training Coordinator
Josh began his journey at FFY as a Teen Staff in the Summer of 2018. He has stuck with FFY and worked as a Head Counselor and a LifeSkills instructor. You may also recognize him from his antics in the virtual “Positive Action” lessons on the FFY YouTube channel, which he writes, creates, films, and edits with his fellow Head Counselors. Josh aspires to create a healthy and safe environment for kids and adults to play, learn new things, and have fun. Some his favorite on the job experiences are playing video games with the teens and talking to the kids about their favorite tv shows.
CARSON HOUZE
Lead Staff/Counselor
Carson started working at the Boys & Girls Club in May of 2019 as a Head Counselor. He is in charge of coordinating the daily snack for our #ffykids. Some of his favorite things to do at work are play basketball with Club members, help facilitate the Positive Action curriculum, and provide a fun day for all #ffykids and staff.
HANNAH LAWSON
Teen Program Head Counselor
Hannah Lawson has worked at the Boys and Girls Club since June 2017. She was in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program for 7 years before starting her job at the Boys and Girls Club. She started as a floor staff, then coached Girls on The Run and was a Girl Scout Leader. She has been with our Teen Program for four summers now and has worked her way up to be the Teen Program Head Counselor. She also is teaching LifeSkills Training in BCSC Health Classes. She has always had a passion for working with children and teens and enjoys being a positive role model for our youth and young adults.
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS
KELLY BACKMEYER
BBBS Program Director
Kelly has been with Foundation For Youth since 2014. She holds a B.A. in Social Work from Morehead State University and has over 25 years experience as a Licensed Social Worker. Her previous experience includes working in various community sectors and organizations. Kelly is passionate about helping all youth reach their full potential and believes whole-heartedly in the power of relationships to make this happen. She also believes Foundation For Youth is such a great organization to be part of because of the commitment and mission to inspire and enable our youth and our community.
MARION MCCORRY
Enrollment & Match Support Specialist
I have been with Big Brothers Big Sisters since November 2003- my background is in HR and training. I enjoyed working in Match Support before my current role in Enrollment and Matching, which involves interviewing and screening our potential adult volunteers and then matching them with their new Little Brother or Sister. We are so fortunate to work with amazing Bigs, who are so committed to their Little- my favorite moments are when we are privileged to make that first introduction of what will be a such a meaningful relationship to both of them!
BROOKE MOORE
Enrollment & Match Support Specialist
I have been with Big Brothers Big Sisters since November 2018. I work in both Enrollment, and Match Support. Within Enrollment, I am responsible for sending out information to interested parents, guardians, and students, as well as getting to know each person through our interview process. My favorite part about this role are the lasting friendships that I get to help build with families within our community. Within Match Support, I am responsible for facilitating matches between North High School students, and Northside Middle School students. I love to see how these matches change over time, and the bonds that Bigs and Littles create with one another!
LISA BROOKSHIRE
Match Support Specialist
I have been with BBBS since February 2018. I hold a BS degree in Child Development and Family Studies from Purdue University. I support school and community based matches at Clifty Creek, CSA Fodrea, CSA Lincoln, Mt. Healthy, Parkside, Richards, Rockcreek, Smith, Central Middle School, East High School and New Tech High School. I find great reward in supporting and encouraging Littles and their families, as they take advantage of all of the opportunities made available in our wonderful community. Just as important to me is the privilege of assisting our Bigs and Littles in the process of developing meaningful relationships.
PAIGE WRIGHT
Match Support Specialist
I have been with BBBS since February 2019. I hold a BS degree in Human Development and Family studies from Indiana State University. I support matches in the Empowering Littles program which is a partnership between Cummins and the Boys and Girls Club. I also support school and community based matches at Schmitt Elementary, Taylorsville Elementary, Southside Elementary, Parkside Elementary, Northside Middle School, and North High School. I love using my creativity to plan fun and impactful activities and help my matches plan different activities. What I love most is getting to know my Bigs, families, and Littles!
COLUMBUS YOUTH CAMP
BRIAN CAIN
Camp Program Coordinator
Brian has been with CYC since 2016. His education and experience is rooted in outdoor and experiential education. His passion is giving youth and adults opportunities to learn and grow through the use of the outdoors, teambuilding, and facilitated mentor programs. In his free time, he works in his woodshop and hangs out with his dog Cooper.
TONY HUDSON
Camp Site Manager
Tony has been a committed member of the team since 2003. Tony came to CYC with great experience in mechanics, construction and so much more. He continues to use his skills in working hard to maintain, grow and improve CYC grounds and property.