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.
Photo ARCHIVE
(Click the arrows on each to view our photos)
2017
Christmas Party 2017
Dr. Jones and his family hosted their Annual Christmas and Holiday Party. YES volunteers, staff, previous participants, stakeholders, and Board of Directors enjoyed great food, conversation, and fellowship and reflected on YES' growth and many successes.
Family Dinner
YES Staff hosted a dinner for students and their families at the Youth Enrichment Services Office this past November. Students shared thanks, engaged in a t-shirt contest, played family games, and enjoyed a thanksgiving meal. A good time was had by all, as demonstrated by the smiling faces.
College Tour 2017
YES juniors and seniors embarked on a mini-college tour to visit Philadelphia and New York Schools. Students attended college classes, met with faculty and admissions representatives, and toured campus. Some of the institutions included: Drexel University, La Salle University, St. Joseph's University, Temple University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University. The students' excursion ended with ice skating in Central Park.
YES Students Participate in
WVU's Career Day
Youth Enrichment Students made their annual visit to West Virginia University for a weekend of career day festivities--from interactions with current students and faculty to attending a Big 12 football game, students tasted some of what makes the mountaineer experience unique!
All About Me Program Kickoff 2017
Students prepare to kick-off the second year of YES' Fall Program, All About Me (AAM). All About Me is primarily a mentoring, tutorial, and fall work program, with specific academic and cultural activities tailored to address issues of truancy, social adaptation and academic performance with the goal of preparing students to be Pittsburgh Promise Eligible.
Faith Ranch 2017
Faith Ranch is a 4 day and 3 night mentoring certification and leadership development program that provides urban youth an opportunity to experience rural Ohio while gaining awareness of healthy decision making regarding friends, family, academics, relationships, self-worth, life skills, etc.
Michigan Trip 2017
Students went on an educational field trip to Flint, Michigan where they were welcomed by Mayor Dr. Karen Weaver, activists, community leaders, construction workers and non-profit agency representatives. Students learned how Flint has dealt with the lead poisoning in their water. They volunteered to pass out water, worked in community gardens and attended a rally! It was very transformational for the students and how they view community activism.
YES Presents at the ASAC Conference in Montreal!
HEC Montreal hosted the 2017 conference of the Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC).
In 2017, they celebrated the 375th anniversary of the city of Montréal and the 110th anniversary of HEC Montréal. The conference theme: “Digital Economies and Cities” highlights the growing importance of technology and information exchanges between community stakeholders including governments, enterprises, and citizens.
Summer Learn and Earn Program Planning Lead Inspections
Research team planning Lead chemical contamination in older homes of some young children in and around Lincoln Lemington community! Summer Learn & Earn program high school participants will serve as investigators by interviewing their neighbors and conducting lead testing!
Take Me Out to the Ballgame!
Youth Enrichment Services leadership in coordination with West Virginia University hosted an outing at the Pittsburgh Pirates game. The festivities included not only attendance to the game, but a cookout and tailgate.
These are the types of activities YES is actively involved in with students of the program and partners.
Meeting with Huntington
Youth Enrichment Services leadership met with Huntington Bank leaders to discuss their partnership and involvement in both the organization and programs.
We are excited to be partnering with Huntington Bank and look forward to all of the expertise they will bring to our organization.
Mentoring Event 2017
The heart of YES is Mentoring Partnerships, a community-based program that incorporates peer mentor certification training, life skills, and communication skills to address at-risk behavior among adolescents.
The mentoring concept is central to our organization’s philosophy of improved physical, emotional and academic development. The primary goals of the mentoring program are as follows: academic improvement, cultural enrichment, career development, and life skills enhancement.
2016
Registration Begins!
Organizing and registration for the
"All About Me" success mapping academic enrichment and peer mentor program.
Staff and Board Holiday Party Celebration 2016
Dr. Jones and his family hosted their annual Christmas and Holiday Party at his home for all volunteers, staff and the Board of Directors. Great food, conversation and fellowship was shared in appreciation for the many successes of the past year and to look forward to 2017.
YES also hosted a Christmas Party that provided gifts to over 50 young students and families in Allegheny County.
Conference in Kenya 2016
Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya hosted the 2nd International Conference on Physical Activity and Sports for Health and Development in Africa (PASHDA) on September 21-23, 2016. The Conference Organizing Committee invited Youth Enrichment Services, Inc. to present on Mentor Self-Efficacy and Mentorship Knowledge in disadvantaged youth and exploratory study of a teen peer – mentorship training program. Presenting on behalf of YES, Inc. were Dr. Dennis Floyd Jones and Denise Jones.