Indiana Youth Institute Announces the 2024 D. Susan Wisely Youth Worker of the Year Award Recipient

Sandy Allman, Community Outreach Librarian & BCPL Express Coordinator of Bartholomew County Honored at KIDS COUNT Conference

Indianapolis, IN [December 4, 2024] — Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) is excited to announce Sandy Allman, Community Outreach Librarian & BCPL Express Coordinator at the Bartholomew County Public Library (BCPL), as the recipient of IYI’s 2024 D. Susan Wisely Youth Worker of the Year Award. Established in 2014, this award honors the legacy of D. Susan Wisely by celebrating the impactful efforts of youth workers throughout Indiana. 

Allman’s dedication to fostering literacy, inclusion, and accessibility stands out in her work to provide thousands of free books to children across Bartholomew County through the BCPL Express Free Book Program. In 2023 alone, she distributed 15,000 books to children in a variety of settings, from schools and community centers to food pantries and cultural events, ensuring that children of all backgrounds have access to literature that reflects their identities and experiences. 

“Sandy exemplifies the qualities of leadership, integrity, and a deep commitment to community impact,” said Tami Silverman, President & CEO of Indiana Youth Institute. “Her work in making books accessible to underserved communities aligns with the values championed by D. Susan Wisely, creating a lasting positive impact on the lives of Indiana’s children.” 

Allman’s contributions extend to advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in library services. By fostering partnerships with local organizations, she ensures that children have access to books in multiple languages, as well as literature that addresses complex topics like racial identity and mental health. 

“I believe in providing the right book, at the right time, to the right person,” said Allman. “For many children, access to books is the foundation of learning and self-confidence. My mission is to remove barriers to reading, so every child has the chance to see themselves in the stories they read.” 

The award is named in honor of D. Susan Wisely, an influential figure who spearheaded the development of numerous youth service-related programs during her tenure at Lilly Endowment, Inc., including the prestigious Lilly Fellows. To learn more about D. Susan Wisely’s impactful legacy, please visit iyi.org/youth-worker-of-the-year/.  

Indiana Youth Institute congratulates and thanks Sandy Allman for her dedication to empowering Indiana’s youth. Her achievements will be celebrated at IYI’s annual KIDS COUNT® Conference on December 4, 2024, at the Marriott hotel in downtown Indianapolis at 9:00 AM EST. 

Finalist for this award includes:  

• Tara Ntumba, LMHC the Support Group Director at Brooke’s Place 

• Twan Stokes Regional Manager at Indiana Department of Child Services Region 1, Lake County 

Thank you to the 2024 KIDS COUNT Conference event sponsor, The Mind Trust, for their continued support in amplifying youth-serving efforts across Indiana. 

### 

About Indiana Youth Institute (IYI): 

For more than three decades, Indiana Youth Institute has supported the youth services field through innovative trainings, critical data, and capacity-building resources, with every effort aimed at increasing the well-being of all children. To learn more about IYI, visit www.iyi.org. 

For further information or media inquiries, please contact: 

Margaret Curtland (she/her/hers) 

Senior Communications Manager 

Indiana Youth Institute 

mcurtland@iyi.org | 317-396-2733