East Liberty nonprofit Youth Enrichment Services Named 2019 Champion in Action
“Trib Total Media recognizes the power of the mentorship provided to young people in the Pittsburgh region by Youth Enrichment Services.”
— Jennifer Bertetto, Trib Total Media President and CEO
By Courier Editor, March 4, 2019
The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that Youth Enrichment Services (YES), a nonprofit providing socially and economically at-risk youth the opportunity to achieve success through participation in mentorship, education and enrichment programs, has been named a 2019 Champion in Action in the category of Youth Leadership. The award, announced jointly by Citizens Bank, WPXI-TV, Trib Total Media and Pittsburgh Cares, includes $35,000 in unrestricted funding as well as promotional and volunteer support for the organization’s outstanding work, according to a release.
Youth Enrichment Services (YES) provides empowerment, experiential opportunities, academic enrichment and summer employment as positive pathways to future success. YES partners with local organizations to create synergy and generates transformative stories, national accolades and positive research outcomes.
Ashlee Freeman
Manager of Pathways to Access Program
Ashlee is originally from Macedonia, Ohio and completed her undergraduate education at Capital University, located in Columbus, Ohio, where she majored in Business Management. After graduation, she attended graduate school at Liberty University where she earned her Master of Arts in Human Service Counseling: Executive Leadership. During her time in graduate school, she completed various group therapy sessions serving at-risk youth in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio.
Ashlee has worked with at-risk youth and adults through non-profits and higher education institutions. She has also worked in career services and served various roles in diversity and inclusion settings. She has a strong passion for serving youth and creating healthy safe spaces for individuals to grow and thrive to become positive contributions to society and in their communities. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, a historically Black sorority.
Prior to joining the YES family, Ashlee served as a career services coordinator, community relations chair, peer career advisor, and a youth development specialist and program coordinator. As the Pathways to Access Program Manager, Ashlee will manage and implement workforce development training, workforce experiences and career exploration opportunities for high school youth. In this role, she will creatively and innovatively engage young people in diverse experiences that will prepare them for their post-secondary educational and career trajectories.