About Us

Our Mission

Youth Emotional Support (YES) provides awareness and access to specialized mental health trainings and supportive resources for individuals, families, community allies and professional partners.

Our Vision

We envision a world in which no one walks through mental illness alone.

Maddie’s Story

Beginning in middle school and throughout high school, Maddie struggled silently with an illness that very few knew she was battling. She excelled in her classes, was an athlete and was loved by all who knew her. Her parents searched for help in our local community, but were unable to find the necessary support. In late 2019, Maddie found the help she needed from the physicians at McLean Hospital in Boston. She received proper, intensive care, none of which was covered through her parents‘ health insurance plan. After re-mortgaging a home, running out of funding, and amid COVID-19 concerns, Maddie returned home, only to find the continuum of care was still not within her reach locally.

Youth Emotional Support was established in 2019, with Maddie’s help, to improve mental wellness in our area. We aim to bridge the gaps in mental health care and formulate a continuum of care , so that no one walks this path alone.

At YES, we now continue our mission by honoring Maddie, whose life was lost at 21 years young on December 14, 2021. Maddie was a 2018 graduate of Father Lopez High School, a National Honor Society member and a four-year varsity softball player. She was a Bright Futures scholar who attended Stetson University on a Presidential Scholarship and later transferred to Daytona State College pursuing a degree in Computer Information Technology. Maddie worked so hard when faced with these challenges and struggles. Despite her and her family’s best efforts, access to proper and effective treatment was unavailable in this area. Self-care was vital to Maddie and she wanted to make a positive difference in this area. At Youth Emotional Support, we want to honor her legacy. Today, we use her daily self-care checklist as a guide for our own daily living. Maddie was a kind, compassionate soul who would always remind you to #CheckOnAFriend

Board Of Directors

Executive Board

Rose Meeske (Co-Founder), Lee Thigpen (President), Kristy Presswood (Vice President), Kathryn Nagib (Secretary), Vinod Sagrani (Treasurer)

Board Chairs 

Kristine Dietrich, Joann Sorensen, Edna Brown L.M.H.C., M.A., Melinda Dawson, Dr. Amy Hall, Ph.D., Dr. Delicia Haynes, MD, Lindsey Sanders Preston, Deana Ramos, Kim Martin and Owen Chittenden

Mental Health Awareness Calendar

May is Mental Health Awareness Month—an important time to bring attention to a critical topic that affects all of us. Now, more than ever, it’s essential to prioritize and protect our mental health in order to be able to lead resilient and fulfilling lives. That’s why we’re offering a free May Mental Health Calendar Download. Focused on self-care strategies, the calendar includes unique tips for diffusing stress throughout the month of May as well as daily reminders about creating positive coping habits.

Download this valuable resource today and start working towards better mental wellness!

Get Maddie's Self-Care Checklist

We are proud to offer a free download of Maddie's Self-Care Checklist to further our commitment to mental health awareness and wellbeing. This resource is designed to guide you through daily practices that foster mental resilience and well-being.

By making this checklist freely available, we hope to make a positive difference in the lives of those facing mental health challenges. At YES, we understand the journey can be tough but rewarding. That's why we're here to support individuals and families and provide specialized training for mental health professionals, enhancing their ability to bring healing and hope to those in need.

We Are Grateful For Our Sponsors