Youth Emotional Support

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

Youth Emotional Support (YES) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support, resources, and tools to those facing the stigma and challenges of mental illness and specialized training to mental health professionals.

We aim to create an environment for mental health resources and awareness, provide training opportunities, and host fundraising events to continue assisting those in need.

Youth Emotional Support is a Charity participating in the NASCAR Day Giveathon 2023 a Giving Day event, presented by The NASCAR Foundation.