Catholic Charities

"Being a part of the team that established The Center for Youth and Family Solutions was one of the most rewarding projects of my life,” says Michael Drymiller, CYFS Board President and Financial Advisor for Northwestern Mutual Life. "It was truly inspiring to see passionate, caring people come together to solve a problem, especially when the end goal was to maintain the continuity of care for literally thousands of already very vulnerable foster children. I am honored and humbled to be a part of this solution.”

Four other compassionate civic minded individuals joined Mike on the original CYFS Board to help create this new human service agency responding to a critical child and family services crisis in central Illinois:

Michael O'Melia, Professor of Social Work, St. Ambrose University
Julie Ramlo-Hohulin, Account Manager; Muller, Bressler & Brown
Janet Mathis, Executive Director, Renew Moline
Jeff Myers, CFO, Prepared Insurance

They have since been joined by Jane Ohaver- a Peoria area attorney as they guide staff in fulfilling the agency mission. The Center for Youth and Family Solutions has a unique and inspiring story driven by a profound commitment to serve children and families and communities in need. Most of all we have an enduring faith in the human spirit that with collaboration and support all people have the capability to solve their problems. This coming year we anticipate we will serve 25,000 children and families in need across 37 counties throughout central Illinois. We welcome all to join us in our journey.

For more information on how a vision and the solution evolved into the creation of The Center for Youth and Family Solutions, visit our website at