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.
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Teen café
Advocacy & Leadership
Teen Café (TC) is a student run program where youth explore public health issues threatening their communities. Each month, Teen Café members have a Town Hall Meeting where they discuss current events around the community, vote on issues, and generate plans to mitigate the challenges targeting their communities. In partnership with the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD), youth receive protocol training and are tasked with planning events, marketing, and gathering research to solve the public health issues at hand.
Youth most recently explored educational inequity across suburban and urban districts, tobacco marketing targeted at minority youth, and lead exposure in Lincoln Lemington.
Guiding Framework:
The principles that guide this program are embedded in an empowerment model including:
Advocacy (Power to):
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Power is extended to peers through council advocacy.
Outreach (Power with):
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Power is shared with community through outreach and empowerment efforts.
Transformation (Power within):
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Power is harnessed within oneself through positive.
Primary Goals:
Develop a spirit of advocacy, personal accountability, and a critical consciousness.
Foster relationships & connections with community; be viewed as a visible stakeholder.
Refine leadership skills and self-confidence; build capacity.
Students Engage In:
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Townhall Meetings
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ACHD trainings
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Committee Meetings
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Community Events
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Social and Cultural Outings
Program Length:
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October – June
Eligibility Status:
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14 – 18 years of age
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10 – 12 grader