WHEREAS, Youth For Tomorrow New Life Center, Inc., was founded in 1986 by Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach Joe Gibbs as a Christian group home for boys; and 

WHEREAS, Youth For Tomorrow, a nonprofit organization based in Bristow, Virginia, has grown into a nationally recognized behavioral health and educational center that has served more than 9,000 at-risk children, including over 250 pregnant teens and teen moms, more than 300 sexually exploited or trafficked teens, and families over the past 40 years; and 

WHEREAS, Youth For Tomorrow has expanded from one home to twelve residential homes for boys and girls and has constructed the Joe Gibbs Center for Academic and Physical Education, the Peterson Family Chapel, and the Pruitt Administration and Behavioral Health Center, and established a licensed and accredited secondary school serving grades 7 through 12; and 

WHEREAS, to address the growing mental health crisis, Youth For Tomorrow operates eight Regional Behavioral Health Services offices across Virginia, one of which opened in Richmond this year, and provides specialized programs such as treatment foster care, transitional foster care for unaccompanied immigrant youth, trauma-informed care, substance abuse treatment, services for girls who are victims of trafficking, and a residential “Mommy & Me” program for pregnant and parenting teens; and 

WHEREAS, Youth For Tomorrow’s behavioral health services are grounded in evidence-based practices and provide timely and streamlined care for youth in Virginia, which supports the Right Help, Right Now initiative; and 

WHEREAS, Youth For Tomorrow’s mission is carried out by nearly 500 dedicated staff, including more than 150 residential and therapeutic professionals, one-third of whom are bilingual in Spanish and English, maintaining a child-to-staff ratio of 4 to 1; and 

WHEREAS, the accomplishments of Youth For Tomorrow reflect the steadfast leadership of its Founder, Coach Joe Gibbs, and the visionary leadership of its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Gary L. Jones, who has served since 1988 and guided the organization to achieve national accreditations and state licensure; and 

WHEREAS, in honor of his achievements and commitment to improving the health and well-being of youth in the Commonwealth and advancing the mission and purpose of Youth For Tomorrow, Joe Gibbs received the Spirit of Virginia Award; and 

WHEREAS, Youth For Tomorrow’s professional staff and faithful supporters, including its Board of Trustees, Board of Advisors, and Youth For Tomorrow Foundation Board of Directors, are commended for their tireless efforts to sustain its mission, including the tradition of the Annual Country Fair & Auctions, which for 40 years has raised vital resources for its work; and   

WHEREAS, Youth For Tomorrow is recognized as a powerful and positive force for good in the Commonwealth of Virginia, transforming lives, strengthening families, and serving as a model of care, education, and hope for generations;  

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize the 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF YOUTH FOR TOMORROW NEW LIFE CENTER, INC., in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.