From food banks to job opportunities, GRC’s Youth Service Center supports students in a variety of ways.
The Family Resource Youth Service Center is a program and environment meant to minimize non-academic barriers in learning, and in turn encourages student success.
GRC’s new YSC director, Ashton Patton, has a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and is currently enrolled as a grad student at the University of the Cumberlands.
Mrs. Patton has many plans going into this year that will significantly enhance student support in GRC.
I visited with Mrs. Patton recently to find out more about her and her plans for GRC.
OB:Why Clark County?
Mrs. Patton: I’m originally from Powell County, but I’ve lived here for 10 years. I have family here, and have come to love Clark County.
OB:What would you like for the students to know about the Youth Service Center?
Mrs. Patton: We provide more assistance than just clothing and school supplies. We can help with college visits, employment, referrals for mental health, or even things like going to the eye doctor or the dentist. We currently are collaborating with Big Smiles Dentistry that will be visiting GRC on November 6th. It’s a great program that allows students to get the dental care they need during school hours. I’m here to support the students and their families in ways that will help them overcome barriers.
OB: What would you like the community to know about the Youth Service Center?
Mrs. Patton: The YSC here at GRC is always looking to collaborate with community agencies to help provide the best services and programs to the students and families. We want to help them overcome barriers that may prohibit them from succeeding in education or other areas and what better way to do that than to work with the people in the community.
OB: What would you like for students to know about you?
Mrs. Patton: I’m here to be a support person for them. I want the center to be a place where they can have privacy to talk about sensitive topics or a place that is calming for them when they’re having a bad day.
OB: How can students contact you if they need help?
Mrs. Patton: I have posted QR codes all around the school, and you can scan that. It’s a Google form that you fill out and select what you need assistance with. You can also email me.
OB: What are your needs/donations currently?
Mrs. Patton: Right now we are needing leggings (small, medium, large) and sweatpants. Leggings, basketball shorts, sweatpants, things like that are the most comfortable items that students are wanting when they need clothes. Also plain t-shirts/hoodies, GRC merch, or Cardinals merch is something that students have been looking for in shirts or hoodies. I am currently working on stocking up our food pantry, so I’m looking to do food drives: that involves items like Pop Tarts, macaroni and cheese, oatmeal packets, and the center has a deep freezer so we’re able to freeze items like chicken tenders, hamburgers, hot dogs, etc.
OB: What are you most excited about with your new job?
Mrs. Patton: Getting to know the students and staff at GRC and building relationships with them and working on bringing in programs and events for the students and their families that are informational.
You can find Mrs. Patton behind the front office if you ever need help. View the YSC WEBSITE.
