Holly’s House’s Elfreich Awarded 2015 Journey Fellowship

Molly Elfreich, Holly’s House Forensic Interviewer, awarded the 2015 Journey Fellowship for New Professionals.   She will be joining twenty-four other youth development professionals from across Indiana who are participating in a year-long professional development experience. 

(Evansville, Ind.) In response to a growing need to grow the pool of talented professionals in the field of youth work, this Journey Fellowship was created in 2010 and is funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc. Participants in the program are nominated by past Journey Fellows and participate in a competitive application process.

The New Professionals Journey Fellows will embark on an expedition to develop themselves and their careers in youth development.  This unique opportunity is meant to support emerging leaders in their quest to get grounded, get connected and get going; making their mark in the field and making a difference in the lives of young people throughout Indiana.

“This Fellowship is about keeping these young youth workers in the field of youth development and helping them become the new leaders in the field to improve services and programs for young people.”  says Tom Plake, Journey Leader.

Each of the twenty-five participants in the Journey Fellowship for New Professionals will attend a series of residential retreats designed to create new ways of thinking about and practicing youth work within existing systems and youth programs. Fellowship participants will be awarded career advancement scholarships, and be supported to make a difference within their local organizations or communities.

Sidney Hardgrave, Holly’s House Executive Director, said, “Holly’s House is proud of Molly and her hard work as we strive to provide services to some of our most vulnerable citizens. Molly’s dedication has enabled Holly’s House to collaborate with law enforcement officers and local prosecutors by making sure even the smallest voice is heard. She is very deserving of this recognition.”   Holly’s House, established in 2008, is a child and adult victim advocacy center serving nine counties in Southwest Indiana.

The Journey is home to a variety of programs that seek to support the renewal and professionalization of youth workers in Indiana and around the country. To learn more, visit www.thejourneyonline.org

Holly’s House is a non-residential victims advocacy center providing services for victims of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault in southwest Indiana.  The mission of the organization is to empower victims of intimate crime and abuse by providing support, promoting justice and preventing violence. For more information, please visit www.hollyshouse.org.