Volunteers Bring Hope and Opportunity to Ember Recovery Campus

As the days to opening count down, the Ember Recovery Campus welcomed a dedicated group of volunteers who came together to prepare rooms and make beds, marking significant progress in creating a space of hope and opportunity for youth and young adults in need.

Among the volunteers were Nancy and Blake Averill, who traveled from Washington, D.C., to see the impact of their support firsthand and lend a helping hand. The Averills first visited Ember Recovery Campus a year ago and quickly connected with its mission.

“Our foundation is all about loving people unconditionally, and that’s exactly what we see here,” Blake Averill said. “Everyone we’ve met—staff, volunteers, and kids—carries such passion for the work being done.”

The Averills started the Honoring Neighbors Foundation. Its mission is to open doors, promote growth, and lessen the burdens on neighbors near and far, through charitable giving and service.

During their visit, the Averills explored the transformation of the campus, toured our state-of-the-art Rooftop Gardens, and served meals at IHYC’s Youth Opportunity Center. They expressed admiration for the safe, welcoming environment being cultivated for youth in recovery.

“It’s incredible to see how much has changed in just a year,” Nancy noted. “This is more than a facility—it’s a place of healing and growth, and we feel so fortunate to be part of it.”

The Averills emphasized the importance of hands-on involvement in addition to financial contributions. “Boots on the ground—that’s what we love to do,” Blake said.

Ember Recovery Campus continues to flourish thanks to the unwavering support of its volunteers and donors. Together, they are creating brighter futures and a nurturing environment where youth can heal, grow, and thrive.