Announcing New Chief Program Officer
Candy Yoder, President and CEO of Child And Parent Services (CAPS), will join the Community Foundation of Elkhart County this summer as Chief Program Officer. Her transition is expected to be completed by July 1, 2018.
Yoder joined CAPS in 1989 as a program coordinator leading the development of new programs. In 1993, she became Vice President for Programs and Services. In 2009, when Daryl Abbot retired after leading CAPS from its inception in the 1970s, Yoder took over as president and CEO.
CAPS was founded to combat child abuse in Elkhart County. Under Yoder’s leadership, the agency has grown to include seven programs focused on helping families and children, including a preschool, Triple P parenting program, supervised visitations, Court Appointed Special Advocates, the Child and Family Advocacy Center, and several home visiting programs. CAPS serves more than 6,000 children and families annually. In 2017, CAPS opened the new Joy Rose Center, a base for its operations which supporters had contributed $5 .7 million to build.
“We’re thrilled to add someone of Candy’s caliber to the Community Foundation of Elkhart County’s team,” said Community Foundation President Pete McCown. “She has been a tireless advocate for children and families at CAPS and done a remarkable job. Having her continue that work in her role as Chief Program Officer at the foundation makes our community even stronger.”
While Candy’s transition to the Community Foundation of Elkhart County will mark a key change in leadership, CAPS is positioned well to continue to provide programs and services in fulfilling its mission. The 21-member board is committed to the Vision 2020 strategic plan. With the strength of the overall staff of 90 employees and more than 100 volunteers, the board will follow the clear roadmap for continued service and growth into the future.
“Candy’s transition to the Community Foundation of Elkhart County notes her commitment to our community and the many positive partnerships that benefit the people of Elkhart County,” said Brian Hall, CAPS board chairman. “We’re grateful for her years of leadership and are confident we will find someone to lead CAPS as it continues to grow”.
The agency is strong and child abuse in Elkhart County is decreasing. Since 2008, child abuse rates have risen 35 percent in Indiana, but declined 10 percent in the county, Yoder said. “So many people come together to help children and families in our communities. Working with them at CAPS has been wonderful and I’m excited about what we can do together in this community in the future.”
Both CAPS and the Community Foundation of Elkhart County share the goal of strengthening the community by helping families and young people succeed. While CAPS has a goal of ensuring that every child lives a life free from abuse and neglect, the Community Foundation takes a broader role and continues to support not only CAPS, but other agencies and projects making life better for Elkhart County residents.
In her new role at the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, Yoder will focus on programs that benefit children and families. She will join staff members at the foundation who encourage grant applications that make a difference in the community. Volunteer committee members then make decisions on the largest grants.
The Community Foundation of Elkhart County, which is in its 29th year, awarded more than $18 million in grants in the last fiscal year, including more than $2 million in scholarships.
The foundation continues to grow. In the fiscal year that ended June 30, donors gave more than $26 million to various funds managed by the foundation and the total assets under management grew to $272 million. Elkhart County ranks in the top 100 in four categories in the 2016 Columbus Survey, which measures community foundations across the United States.
About CAPS
Child And Parent Services works to ensure that every child lives a life free from abuse and neglect. CAPS accomplishes this through education, advocacy and intervention with families and the community to support safe, stable, nurturing relationships for all children. The agency was founded in Elkhart County in the mid-1970s and has grown to include seven programs serving more than 6,000 children and families annually. For more information about CAPS visit www.capselkhart.org.
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