About Us | Mentors for Youth

Who we are

Many children in Dubois County lack a "naturally occurring" mentor in their life.

That’s where Mentors for Youth comes in! We seek to match youth between the ages of 6 and 14 with caring adults (16 years or older) who wish to spend two hours every other week for one year together (although most matches last an average of 2.5 years!).

Mentors work with their mentees to establish goals and develop life skills, such as decision-making, problem-solving, and communication. They also engage in activities that promote positive youth development, such as agency sponsored outings, community service projects, and recreational activities.

OUR STAFF

ERIN KIDWELL

Executive Director

Erin Kidwell was born and raised in Jasper, IN and graduated from Jasper High School in 2016. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology from University of Evansville in 2020 and a Master’s in Social Work from The University of Southern Indiana in May of 2022.

Erin began her relationship with Mentors for Youth as a summer intern in 2021 under Kaiva, our case manager. It didn’t take long for her to fall in love with the mission of Mentors for Youth. In general, she found a passion for nonprofit work and is incredibly honored to be starting her career at an organization that means so much to her.

Erin’s background education in psychology and social work, as well as her own life experiences, have taught her that a robust support system is essential for thriving in life. Mentors for Youth aids in strengthening the support systems of local youth. She believes that Mentors for Youth changes the lives of not only the children in the program, but their families, their mentors, their mentors’ families, and countless others in their community.

In her free time, Erin enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and dog, Charlie, traveling, going to concerts, cooking and baking, painting, and embroidery.

KAIVA HURT

Case Manager

Kaiva was hired in January 2000 as the Case Manager for what was then Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dubois County. She attended the University of Southern Indiana and has a bachelor's degree in Social Work.

Kaiva enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also really enjoys her volunteer work. She is a volunteer for animal rescue groups, she fosters, helps to process potential adopter's applications, and facilitates animal adoptions. She enjoys being outdoors, walking, hiking and reading.

Kaiva hopes to continue to serve the children of Dubois County in the years to come. She plans to help improve and expand the services that Mentors for Youth provides to children of Dubois County.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ELIZABETH MEHRINGER
President

Elizabeth grew up in Huntingburg but moved in high school and graduated from Pike Central in 2002.

Elizabeth joined the Army and served for 4 years as a medic. She was deployed to Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom from '08 to '09. She received her Associates Degree in Interior Design from Vincennes University. Elizabeth is currently a real estate agent with RE/MAX Local.

Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, and baking with her kids. She also volunteers at Holy Trinity Catholic School.

Elizabeth is very excited to take on this new role. She is ready to encourage more growth and improvement within the organization

AMANDA MCCARTHY
Vice President

Amanda joined the Mentors for Youth Board in June of 2022. Soon after, she assumed the role of treasurer in October of 2022. She works as a controller for Ridetech Fox Factory.

Amanda graduated with a Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting in 2020 and works as Controller for a local manufacturing company. Her favorite pastimes include baking, hiking, being outdoors, and auto racing… feeding her competitive nature and need for speed.

Having grown up in a small town, Amanda knows how important it is to invest in the community’s youth and provide mentorship. She is excited to make a positive impact and serve the Mentors for Youth mission.

EMILY SCHITTER
Secretary

Emily grew up in Jasper, Indiana and graduated from Jasper High School in 2014. She then went on to Indiana University and graduated with an elementary and special education degree in 2018. Go Hoosiers!

After college she moved back to Jasper and has been with Holy Trinity Catholic School for the past three years. She is currently teaching Pre-K.

In her free time, she loves to walk her dog Maggie, travel, hike, go boating and spend time with family and friends.

Emily was a mentor through the Mentors for Youth program and has witnessed what a great impact the program has on our youth. Emily joined the board because she believes it is an outstanding program and wants to continue to watch it grow.

LYNK KORDES
Treasurer

Lynk joined the Mentors for Youth Board in January of 2023.

Lynk grew up in Ferdinand, Indiana and graduated from Forest Park High School in 2012. He went on to attend and graduate from Indiana University with a double major in Finance and Accounting. He then left Indiana to work for Ford Motor Company in Kansas City, MO, Dearborn, MI, and Louisville, KY, before moving back home and beginning a career at Jasper Engines and Transmissions as a senior finance analyst.

In his free time, he enjoys rooting on the Hoosiers, watching sports, and playing golf. He also enjoys traveling with his wife, Kalyn, and spending time outdoors. Lynk joined Mentors for Youth to help give back to the community that has supported him throughout his life.

KELSEY MENKE

Kelsey grew up in Huntingburg and is a graduate of the University of Southern Indiana. She is currently a Dental Hygienist at Schwenk Family Dentistry

After living in South Carolina for 5 years, Kelsey and her husband, Cory, moved back home to start their family. They now have three boys, Wyatt, Will, and Luke. In her spare time, she enjoys her kids’ activities, running, and cooking

As a member of the Mentors for Youth board, she has enjoyed working with fellow board members and staff to help strengthen the organization and its efforts to help enhance the lives of youth in our community.

TRISH NICHOLSON

Trish was born and raised in rural Jasper. She is a graduate of Oakland City College. She is married and has 3 children.

In her free time, Trish enjoys baking, traveling, playing cards, doing puzzles, and going on Jeep runs. She has volunteered with many community, church, and school organizations over the years.

Trish was a mentor through the Mentors for Youth program and has witnessed the difference it can make in children’s lives. She joined the board to help increase awareness of this great organization and help it grow and thrive in our county.

MACKENZIE BURKE

Mackenzie grew up in Jasper, IN and graduated from Jasper High School in 2014. She then attended the University of Southern Indiana where she majored in respiratory therapy. In 2017, she became a registered respiratory therapist and began her career at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville. In 2018, Mackenzie accepted a full time position at Memorial Hospital here in Jasper where she is still employed. She joined the Mentors for Youth Board in June 2023.

In 2020, Mackenzie began working at Holland Elementary School in their health clinic on her days off. Getting to help care for the students and building relationships with them made her want to get more involved in supporting our local youth and being a positive role model for them.

In Mackenzie’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends and her goldendoodle, Paisley.

SHERRY MONESMITH

Sherry grew up near Ft. Wayne, Indiana and graduated from Indiana University in 1985. She worked in Admissions for Butler University for several years before moving to Jasper in 1993. She and her husband Matt have 4 grown children, a son-in-law, a soon to be daughter-in-law, and an infant granddaughter.

She began her Mentors for Youth involvement as a mentor in 2017 and joined the Board of Directors in May of 2023. She joined the board because she knows firsthand what an incredible impact Mentors for Youth has on our community, and she is honored to be a part of helping our youth.

Sherry is a volunteer with Ronald McDonald House Charities and Memorial Hospital and Healthcare Center. She also teaches middle school faith formation at Precious Blood Church. She is a past board member of Jasper Community Arts and enjoys local and professional theater. She loves traveling, rooting for the Hoosiers, playing pickleball, and most of all, spending as much time as possible with her family.

JUAN MACK

Juan Mack joined the Mentors for Youth Board in August of 2023. Juan was born and raised in Panama City, Panama, where He received his Engineering degree in Computer Systems. Later in life he got his MBA in Technology Management. For the past 22 years, He’s been leading Matrix Integration technology, making sure they are on top of their IT requirements in this ever-changing industry. His passion is to take advantage of technology, create alignment with business needs and apply it to achieve business goals (back to making technology simple for others).

When Juan is not geeking out to IT, you can find him leading high-energy cycling classes at the local gym. He loves helping people break a sweat and feel the burn! And when the weather's nice, he’s all about getting outside and enjoying nature, either fishing, hiking, camping, or a good old backyard fire. Juan is very excited about serving Mentors for Youth. He firmly believes that mentoring plays a pivotal role in shaping the leaders of tomorrow, and is excited to contribute his skills, experiences, and enthusiasm to this meaningful cause.

EMILY HAUSER

Emily Hauser joined the Mentors for Youth Board in August of 2023. Emily grew up in Jasper and graduated from JHS in 1992. She attended Indiana University and received a B.S. in Secondary Education in 1996. She also obtained a master’s in education from Indiana Wesleyan University. She is currently a Spanish and ENL teacher in the Southeast Dubois County School Corporation, where she has been teaching for 26 years. She also coached track and field for many years and currently serves as a volunteer coach for the Rangers. Lastly, she is currently in graduate school at Indiana University pursuing a graduate certificate in Spanish which will allow her to continue teaching Dual Credit courses at Forest Park.

When Emily is not busy at school, she is spending time with her family and friends. She is married to Jason and they have two children, Abby and Luke, both students at Purdue University. Emily has also been involved in Girls On the Run of Southwest Indiana, and currently volunteers at Crisis Connection as a translator. Emily is excited about her new role as board member for Mentors for Youth. She is always interested in helping kids no matter when or where.

Keelie Dall

Keelie Dall joined the Mentors for Youth Board in October of 2023.
Keelie grew up in Holland and graduated from Southridge High School in 2010. Following that, she received her college degree from Vincennes University and now serves as the Community Manager at River Centre, where she takes pride in assisting individuals and families in finding their homes.

Keelie, along with her husband and two children, considers Jasper their home. Her husband holds the position of varsity assistant basketball coach for the Jasper Lady Wildcats and is an active member of the Jasper Wildcat community. In her leisure time, she enjoys the company of friends, family, and her three pups.

As a devoted mother, she is committed to helping children recognize their inner and outer beauty.

JOHN SIEBERT
Advisor

John joined the Big Brothers Big Sisters Board in 1987 and was a founding board member. He joined Mentors for Youth as an advisor in November of 2022 and primarily supports the Board Development Committee.

John is a Consultant with Siebert Consulting and has been consulting nonprofit clients for over 15 years. He enjoys spending time with family and friends. He also likes gardening and outdoor activities. John and his wife Lisa or legal guardians for 2 young adults living in group homes.

In his free time he likes helping nonprofit organizations build capacity to serve more youth in our communities. It is John's wish to see Mentors for Youth thrive in our community and serve many more youth.

MAX VERKAMP
Advisor
Max joined the Mentors for Youth as an advisor to the Finance Committee in November 2022.

Max has a long history with Mentors for Youth, and it’s predecessor, Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Dubois County. He served on the board for a total of 11 years, including time as President, Vice-President, and Secretary. Max was also a mentor for 6 years and has continued to stay in touch with his mentee. Max is very passionate about the organization and the value it provides children in the community. He has continued to support the organization even when he hasn’t had a formal position on the board.

Max lives in Jasper and is currently the CEO of Indiana Furniture. He enjoys spending time and travelling with his wife and three children. Max also holds leadership positions with Friends of the Arts, the Jasper Partnership Commission, and the JHS Band Finance Committee.

DR. NANCY OTTE
Advisor
Nancy was involved in the formation of Big Brothers/Big Sisters in 1987. She has served on the Board of Directors for several different terms and has always stayed active especially in fundraising. She recently joined the board again in an advisory role.

Nancy is a retired optometrist who practiced in Jasper for
about 42 years. She has always enjoyed volunteering in the community and her church. She is also an active alumni volunteer for Indiana University. During retirement she now has more time to enjoy her hobbies – being outdoors, camping and kayaking, travelling, walking her fur-baby Jesse and all things IU!

Besides Mentors for Youth, Nancy also serves on the IU Alumni Association Executive Council and helps with Anderson Woods’ fundraisers. Nancy has a special place in her heart for Mentors for Youth and continues to volunteer because she says that it’s easy to find time to support something you love.

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