Youth Enrichment Services (YES) is a non-profit based in Boston, Massachusetts that offers outdoor and enrichment programming outside of school to at-risk youth.[1] Its primary program is to teach city youth to ski or snowboard using volunteer instructors.[2]
The organization was founded in 1968 by Richard Williams as Operation Ski Lift as a way to expose inner city youths to the sport of skiing, and was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 1972.[3][4] In early years it received grants from the City of Boston, but today is run on donations from corporations and individuals.[5] It is supported by Olympic skier Ted Ligety.[6]
Year round activities such as backpacking, canoeing, bicycling and environmental education trips to the Cape Cod National Seashore and to Swann Lodge in the Berkshires were added in the 1970s.[3][4] The current headquarters in a South End brownstone were built in 1987.[3] In 2007 the YES Academy was founded to include Career Exploration, College Preparation, Girls Outdoor Adventure Leaders and Junior Volunteers programs.[1][3] Today, additional programs offered by YES include ski and snowboard lessons, track and field programs, kayaking, mountain biking, and rock climbing.[7][4]
More than 100,000 youths have been served by the organization since it was founded,[3] with about 7,500 youths being served a year, mostly in winter.[5] In 2015, 200 youths participated in the YES Academy, which is a 40% gain over the same period three years prior.[1]
YES Programs
editOperation SnowSports:
- Youth Excel Through Tailored Instruction
- Cross Country Ski Program
Outdoor Adventure:
- Outdoor Adventure Sessions
- Outdoor Adventure Intensives
- City Ascent Climbers Program
YES Academy:
- College Preparation
- Career Exploration
- Junior Volunteers
- Girls Outdoor Adventure Leaders
Notable alumni
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Lexington, Winchester residents accept Cummings Foundation grant for Boston nonprofit". Lexington Minuteman. July 15, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ Underwood, Katherine (February 9, 2024). "Boston-based program brings inner-city youth to ski, snowboard at New Hampshire mountains". WMUR-TV. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "History". Youth Enrichment Services. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ a b c Tarantal, Erika (February 15, 2024). "5 for Good: YES provides free ski and snowboard instruction to Massachusetts kids". WCVB. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Fearer, Myrna (August 16, 2012). "Happiness is a day of fun at the Danversport Yacht Club". Wicked Local Danvers. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ Whiteside, kelly (February 5, 2014). "Ski star Ted ligety hopes feeling golden is his forte". USA Today. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "Programs". Youth Enrichment Services. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ Dunleavy, Ryan (June 12, 2014). "Rutgers' staffer Michelle Edwards to join Hall of Fame Ryan Dunleavy". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
External links
edit
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