The Life House Youth Center is a fun, free, safe place for young people in our community in elementary school through high school. Our desire is that students build positive, impactful relationships, learn life skills through our programs, have fun and get help meeting their basic needs.
WHAT WE'RE ABOUT
For several years LHYC Director Jennifier Massie-Fadler had been concerned about the community's youth and realized the need for something that not only makes a positive difference in their lives but that also has a lasting impact on the community. In 2016 Jennifier reached out to organizations, businesses and community leaders for help in establishing her vision of a youth center for children. With the passion and help from Stefan Wehmeyer, Marsha Thompson, our families, Fidelity Communications Co. and many other selfless volunteers and donors, a vision became reality when Life House Youth Center opened its doors in Sullivan on September 1, 2017.
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Life House Youth Center is a non-for-profit center open to all children 10-17 free of charge. We provide our youth a fun, structured, safe and loving place to spend time with their peers after school and in the summer. They can get a meal, get homework assistance, have internet access, learn a new skill or hobby and be surrounded by people who care about them. We provide them a support system made up of caring staff members and volunteers who actively and constantly seek to foster values, morals, life skills and self-confidence. LHYC's #1 goal is to build lasting relationships with the youth in our community to empower them to make positive choices and enable them to maximize their full potential and achieve their highest goals. LHYC is completely unique to our area. There is no other agency around offering all of these things at no cost.
Since opening our doors, we see an average of 30 students a night.
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We have enjoyed over three years of successful operation so far, and our hope is to continue to grow and for our programs to make a real difference in the lives of the children who attend the center.
HOW CAN I PARTNER?
There are so many ways that an individual can help at the LHYC. The center only operates at it’s best when we have the help of the community, making us as effective as possible. A person can partner with the center in several ways.
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A person can sign up to volunteer at the youth center and help with "daily operations" (such as cooking dinner, leading a program, or just being here to build relationships with our kiddos) throughout the night.
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A person can sign up to mentor at the youth center and provide positive relationships.
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A person can also help by donating financially to help us to continue to effectively reach the youth in our community.
"Life House keeps kids out of trouble and shows them a different path."
-LHYC student quote
WHAT WE DO?
The LHYC is a non-profit youth center open to all children ages 10-17 years old FREE of charge. The center opened its doors on September 1st, 2017 to provide our community's young people a fun, structured, safe and loving place to spend time after school and in the summer.
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Staff and volunteers strive to provide a support system that fosters good values, life skills and self-confidence. in children who attend the center. At LHYC, children do homework, have access to computers and receive help from volunteers for tutoring. They socialize with their peers in our newly renovated lobby and outside area where they can play volleyball and basketball. They participate in structured activities, life skills classes/programs and perform chores at the center.
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The LHYC's #1 goal is to build lasting relationships with the youth in our community to empower them to maximize their full potential and achieve their highest goals.
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2025 programs: Youth Development, Student Leadership, Mentoring, Homework assistance/tutoring, Young Men's Bible Study, Volunteering, Art Club
MEET THE STAFF
Jennifier Massie-Fadler
Executive Director
Jennifer Massie-Fadler founded Life House Youth Center in 2017 and serves as Executive Director. Under her leadership, the organization has grown to operate two locations in Sullivan and Cuba, Missouri, serving youth ages 10-17 across Franklin, Crawford, and Washington Counties with a mission "to start a cycle of love by assisting children and families to discover their full potential."
Jennifer developed the center's core programming model, designing everything from daily meal service and homework support to life skills curriculum and small group discussions that address real issues youth face. Recognizing gaps in services for older youth, she created and launched a transitional housing program in 2024 after seeing dozens of students struggle with housing instability and lack of independence skills when aging out of the system.
Jennifer oversees strategic planning, HR management, fundraising, financial oversight, and community outreach efforts while maintaining the organization's focus on breaking generational poverty cycles through practical life skills and goal-oriented programming. As a skilled fundraiser, she has secured multiple federal and state grants, donations, sponsorships, and partnerships, bringing in and overseeing millions in funding to ensure Life House's financial stability and continued growth in serving the community's most vulnerable youth.
Kayla Watters
Operations Manager
Kayla Watters is the mother of a beautiful baby girl and a vital member to our team here at the Life House. Kayla oversees our Mentor Program, oversees all operations here in Sullivan, and is an instrumental part of the team overseeing the Life House's BIG vision! Kayla came aboard in May 2020 and continues to leave her impact on the Center and on our kiddos day in and day out! Kayla has a B.A. in Psychology and is currently attending Missouri Baptist Online working towards her Masters in School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health!
Sean Monroe
Sullivan Site Supervisor
Sean Monroe (also known as Sean T) is our Sullivan Site Supervisor. He has been working with us for over five years and brings a lot to our team! He has a B.A. in Human Development and Family Sciences from Oregon State University. Sean T has been passionate about working with youth since high school and always brings a passion and excitement to our team!
Stefan R. Wehmeyer
Housing Program Manager
As a Pastor at The Ridge Church of Sullivan, and a longtime employee of the Life House Youth Center (LHYC) I am passionate about youth ministry and dedicated to helping young people discover their God-given worth and potential. At Life House, I strive to help create a safe, welcoming space where teens feel seen, valued, and empowered to grow in confidence and ability to thrive on their own. It's my joy to walk alongside youth as they navigate life's challenges and uncover the unique purpose they were created for.
Amanda Lindemann
Mentor Program & Grants Manager / Event Coordinator
Amanda Lindemann has always had a heart for children and a passion for helping her community thrive. In her role at Life House Youth Center, she combines her love for building connections with her dedication to creating meaningful opportunities for local youth. She is committed to providing a safe, welcoming space where young people can learn, grow, and dream big. For Amanda, being part of LHYC is about more than organizing programs and events — it’s about fostering confidence, building relationships, and showing kids that they truly matter. She sees the youth center as a second home for both the children and the community, and she is driven by the belief that with encouragement and support, every child can reach their full potential.
CORE VALUES
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HOPE
LOVE
SERVICE
COURAGE
KINDNESS
INCLUSION
COMPASSION
EMPOWERMENT
ACCOUNTABILITY
MISSION
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Life House Youth Center's mission is to start a cycle of love by assisting the children and families of Franklin and Crawford Counties to discover their full potential regardless of their social/economic backgrounds.
We envision a stronger family unit and children who are prepared to tackle the world ahead of them.