Writer / Laurie Quinn
The sun won’t have risen yet, but the hum of prepping for the annual YMI breakfast fundraiser will commence in the early morning hours of September 15 for the 7 a.m. event. YMI (Youth Mentoring Initiative) is the Fishers-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing HSE schools with free school-based mentor programs in grades 5-12.
This annual breakfast is the main fundraiser for the organization. Businesses of all sizes can show support by sponsoring a table aiding an organization that helps the youth in the Fishers community. WDD Software, the title sponsor of this event, is excited to continue partnering with YMI after last year’s success.
WDD Chief Strategy Officer Drew Linn stated, “YMI has a rich history of encouraging and impacting local youth in our community. They have an incredible organization that we plan to continue supporting.”
Founded in 2008 by Darren Heil, YMI has seen a steady growth pattern over the past years. With over 200 in attendance at last year’s event, it was determined that a change in the venue was needed to accommodate for more attendees.
The breakfast will be held at the Wellington Fishers Banquet and Conference Center, formerly known as the Fishers Conference Center, located at 9775 North by Northeast Blvd. just off of 96th Street and I-69.
YMI Board Member and Fishers City Councilor At-Large Todd Zimmerman voiced his excitement with the new location by saying, “The surge of growth that YMI has seen recently generated the decision for an expanded venue. I am very pleased that the Wellington Fishers Banquet and Conference Center recognizes the impact that YMI has on the youth of our community and stepped forward to work with us on hosting YMI’s annual fundraising breakfast.”
The Wellington Fishers Banquet and Conference Center was recently purchased by Greg and Cami O’Herren. It boasts a 4,200 square foot ballroom and conference rooms to host smaller groups. The ballroom can be divided to make the room smaller and more intimate for smaller events. They also have their own catering service on the scene, so there is no worry about going out and finding a caterer!
“Cami and I are excited to help host a great cause like YMI. Our participation is a small way to give back to the community,” O’Herren said.
As YMI continues to grow with community support, the infrastructure grows too. YMI Executive Director Anne-Marie Zielinski said, “Supporting this initiative is a win-win for Fishers. Our 2020 goal of reaching 600 mentors and mentees is dependent on individuals and businesses involved with Fishers.”
With that 2020 goal in mind, YMI is focused on entering the 2015 school year by being introduced to the fifth and sixth grade levels at Sand Creek Intermediate and Riverside Intermediate and adding an additional 115 mentoring matches spread over six schools.
A fundraiser based on growing a mentoring community in Fishers is vital to this organization as it survives solely on donations. The financial resources raised are needed to provide supplies, administrative support, mentor training and mentee programming that buoy the operations of this growing organization.
For more information on how to get involved with YMI and the annual breakfast fundraiser, visit ymionline.org or call 317-370-9070. For more information on the Wellington Fishers Banquet and Conference Center, visit thewellingtonfishers.com.
