Despite the blustery gusts blowing off the Indian River Lagoon, the atmosphere inside the Quail Valley River Club was warm and celebratory as the Vero Beach community gathered for the 48th annual Tropical Night Luau. The sold-out event marked a significant milestone for the Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy, becoming the nonprofit’s most successful fundraiser to date while showcasing the tangible impact of its vocational training programs.
While guests enjoyed a Hawaiian-style dinner, Executive Director Phil Barnes took the stage to highlight the organization’s recent momentum. Central to this growth is the official opening of Youth Guidance’s newly renovated, state-of-the-art facility. Barnes explained that this expansion is not just about square footage; it is about providing real-world career opportunities and hands-on experiences for middle schoolers, teenagers, and young adults in Indian River County.
“We will soon be able to double our capacity and build upon our successes,” stated Barnes, noting that three-quarters of their construction pre-apprenticeship graduates have secured full-time employment or are enrolled in trade school.
The organization’s impact on local youth is evident in the statistics shared during the evening. During the 2024-25 school year, certified teachers working with younger children helped ensure that 100 percent of participants advanced to the next grade level on time. Additionally, 91 percent of these students achieved attendance records of 90 percent or higher. Barnes also announced that Youth Guidance is now an AAA accredited Child Abuse Prevention Center, currently the only facility holding this designation within the county.
The emotional core of the evening was a speech delivered by John Wright, a graduate of the Construction Trades Pre-Apprenticeship program. Wright described his journey from uncertainty to a stable career path as an electrician apprentice. He credited the program with providing him the tools and confidence necessary to succeed.
“From day one, this program gave me structure, training and support. More than that, it gave me belief in myself. I learned not just how to work with my hands, but how to show up, stay focused, and be part of a team,” said Wright.
Wright thanked the donors and mentors for investing in people rather than just equipment, emphasizing that their support fuels transformation from “potential to purpose.”
James Buttonow, the Construction Trades director, grew emotional while discussing the expansion of the classes. Thanks to the new facility and increased support, the program now hosts 22 students in each of its bi-weekly sessions. They are poised to graduate 44 students this year, which is more than double the number of graduates from the previous year.
Looking ahead, Youth Guidance will operate out of two locations to serve different age groups effectively:
- The New Facility: Hosting programs for sixth grade through high school and beyond, focusing on in-demand trades such as construction and culinary arts.
- St. Augustine of Canterbury Church: hosting programs specifically designing for kindergarten through fifth-grade children.
For residents interested in learning more about these initiatives or the new facility, further information is available at YouthGuidanceProgram.org.
