YES Home breaks ground on historic expansion

(AURORA, Ind.) – The YES Home in Aurora is breaking ground on a major expansion that will allow them to serve more youth in the area. 

The YES Home (Youth Encouragement Services) has been in existence since 1981 and provides emergency shelter care and long term residential programming to young people with moderate to severe mental health and behavioral issues. 

This is the largest expansion project in their 45-year history and was made possible through a matching grant program supported by the United Way Greater Cincinnati Southeast Indiana and Cari Baylor’s ‘Cari Beth’s Blessings’ initiative.

It will allow them to double their ability to care for youth while adding 10 new jobs. 

Executive Director Amy Phillips says this $1.5M expansion will have a direct impact on local youth and families. 

“The newly funded expansion has a sincere and important impact locally; families and children in need no longer risk being shipped to another area of the state when emergency needs or court directed care services arise,” Phillips said. 

The YES Home has often experienced times when they couldn’t accept additional youth because the facility was at full capacity, however, this expansion will change that. 

The expansion will add bedrooms, a second independent living apartment to learn self-reliant living skills and upgrades to multiple areas of the residence.

Cari Baylor provided the funds that allowed the Yes Home to pursue the United Way matching grant. 

“The YES Home has been important in my heart for over 40 years and I am grateful to be able to assist in these helpful and hope filled initiatives,” Baylor said. 

The project is scheduled for completion early in 2027. 

This funding is for the renovation project and does not cover the costs of outfitting the home with an additional 10 bed frames and mattresses, bedding, dressers, and other household items. As they move forward, the YES Home will be raising funds for those additional needs as well.