Youth 360 announces new Houston club manager

WASILLA — Youth 360 announced the arrival of their new Houston Junior/Senior High School club manager, Madeline Emmi in a recent press release.

“I think she’s a great fit for us,” Youth 360 program director Tyler Healy said during a follow up interview.

According to the recent press release, Emmi grew up in the Mat-Su Valley and she’s been involved with Thrive Mat-Su, Youth 360, and United Way Mat-Su in general since she was a teen.

Emmi is transitioning to the Houston manager role from her position as a Youth 360 Youth Engagement Specialist., She’s replacing the outbound Emily Fiscus who’s leaving for a new opportunity after guiding the Houston club since the program’s inception in 2019.

“I am excited to start my new role and would like to extend an invitation to come out to the portable and see what our program is all about whenever you’d like,” Emmi stated in the press release.

Healy said that Emmi will be the main point of contact for their Houston activities, developing activities and doing outreach with family members and school staff. He said that she’s done great work for United Way so far and brings a lot to the position.

“She’s a really warm person that takes a lot of pleasure in helping others. She’s somebody that connects well with everyone, very outgoing and easy to get along with. She connects with youth. She can get on their level as someone they can respect and look up to. She has that ability to build genuine relationships,” Healy said.

United Way of Mat-Su oversees the Youth 360 program, a local effort aiming to improve Valley students’ overall health and wellness by connecting them to their peers, families, and the community at large through fun and engaging activities that foster meaningful connections.

Healy said that Youth 360 believes that every young person needs connections with others and access to social activities. Houston and Wasilla are their pilot sites, currently offering free afterschool activities and summer camps for middle and high school students year-round with the intent of spreading across the school district over time.

Students enrolled in Youth 360 have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of afterschool activities throughout the school year, including swimming, bowling, cooking, and dancing. During the summer, there’s a variety of camps for each age group.

For more information, visit unitedwaymatsu.org/united-way/youth360.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@fronitersman.com