Setting Goals

Y4Y Nonprofit Board of Trustees

Larry Tracey, the founder of Youth4Youth, is a former teacher and counselor, Larry spent over 25 years working with youth and educators in the areas of personal development, leadership, education, parenting, anger management, and chemical dependency. He attended Kent State University and is a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor. He is a member of Lorain County Prevention Connection, Lorain County Community Board and Toastmasters International. Larry volunteers his time to United Way as the Youth Initiative Chairman for Lorain County.  He serves the Youth4Youth Board of Trustees as President.

Larry is an author, professional speaker and trainer. His training segments have won top speaking awards from Toastmasters International. His book, “The Secret of the Can” is now available for teens and those who work with teens. Just for fun, Larry assists Chicken Soup of the Soul creator, Jack Canfield, at his Breakthrough to Success training programs.

Sue Twining is the Student Assistance and Safe and Drug Free Schools Coordinator for the Elyria City Schools. She carries a BA in social work, LSW, and is a Certified Prevention Specialist with the State of Ohio. She is an active adolescent counselor for Psychiatric & Psychological Services in Elyria, Ohio.

Sue is Treasurer for the Lorain County Prevention Connection (LCPC) and serves as a Board and team member for the Lorain County Schools Crisis Counseling Team. Married with two adult children and one grandson, Sue enjoys traveling to Florida during breaks from work.

Chery Lambdin has been active with youth in Lorain County for over 20 years and recently retired from the guidance department at Keystone High School. She has devoted 17 years as Lorain County Teen Institute and Youth X-treme advisor and county coordinator. Chery is active as a Youth Sponsor at her church. Chery is a graduate of Columbus Business University. She is a member of Lorain County Prevention Connection (LCPC), Lorain County Schools Crisis Counseling Team, and a Youth4Youth Advisor. As a mother of three and grandmother of eight, she continues to devote her time working with youth.

Guy Reph began his career at Reph Marine, manufacturing fiberglass boats. Soon after, his father’s company RAK Corrosion Control, Inc., employed him and he has worked his way from the bottom up. RAK Corrosion Control, Inc. performs leak repairs for integrated steel companies. Guy is married to a beautiful wife Tari and has two sons, Chris 21 years old that works for the family business and Greg who is going to Evangel University and studying to be a Missionary Pastor. Guy’s hobbies are singing in the church choir and collecting classic cars.

Gylene Pelton

Gylene has been an educator for the last thirty-five years. She has been instrumental in developing many programs that positively impact youth. Gylene recently developed the TEE (Teacher Education Exploration) program, and collaborated with Lorain County Community College in articulating three college courses for TEE students that align with the TEE program’s curriculum. Gylene has a Master in Business Communication and Bachelor of Science in Education.

She is a Board Trustee for the Lorain County Crisis Counseling Team (LCCCT), former Trustee of the Career Education Association (CEA), and volunteers as a facilitator at the Phoenix Center for Grieving Children. She has received Teacher of the Year Award (awarded by Elyria Wal-Mart), the Elyria Woman of Interest Award, and Program of Distinction Award three consecutive years from the Lorain County JVS.    

Brian Tracey Is an original member of Youth4Youth, working with his father as the program developed while he was in high school. He recently returned from his second deployment in Iraq with the United States Marines. Brian is married and is continuing his college education at Central Texas College while stationed in San Diego, California.

Robert Starr is a Senior Insurance Product Manager for National City Bank. Bob graduated from Baldwin Wallace College with a degree in Marketing. He resides in Avon, Ohio with his wife Sue, and their two children. He is an avid Cleveland sports fan.

Jason Howard serves as a Youth Pastor at Church on the North Coast in Lorain, Ohio. Jason is a known for his passionate pursuit in helping young people find truthful principles of life. He continues to travel and speak at high schools, conferences and retreats. Jason, wife Alicia and son Ethan are currently building a new home in Amherst.

Judy Grabowski attended Elyria City Schools, entered the workforce at Stanadyne – Moen Division and moved to public service with the Elyria Municipal Courts and the Elyria Police Department for more than 27 years. She is actively involved in expanding the vision of Youth4Youth. She volunteers her time to the United Way Youth Initiative Program and Youth4Youth Student Leadership Training.  

Judy has 2 children and 4 grandchildren who, along with Youth4Youth, will keep her on her toes and happily involved in life.