Youth Enrichment Services

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.

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.[2] In early years it received grants from the City of Boston, but today is run on donations from corporations and individuals.[3] It is supported by Olympic skier Ted Ligety.[4]

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.[2] The current headquarters in a South End brownstone were built in 1980.[2] In 2007 the YES Academy was founded to include Career Exploration, College Preparation, Girls Outdoor Adventure Leaders and Junior Volunteers programs.[1][2] Today, additional programs offered by YES include ski and snowboard lessons, track and field programs, kayking, mountain biking, and rock climbing.[5]

More than 100,000 youths have been served by the organization since it was founded,[2] with about 7,500 youths being served a year, mostly in winter.[3] In 2015, 200 youths participated in the YES academy, which is a 40% gain over the same period three years prior.[1]

YES Programs

Operation 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

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Lexington, Winchester residents accept Cummings Foundation grant for Boston nonprofit". Lexington Minuteman. July 15, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "History". Youth Enrichment Services. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Fearer, Myrna (August 16, 2012). "Happiness is a day of fun at the Danversport Yacht Club". Wicked Local Danvers. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  4. ↑ Whiteside, kelly (February 5, 2014). "Ski star Ted ligety hopes feeling golden is his forte". USA Today. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Programs". Youth Enrichment Services. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  6. ↑ Dunleavy, Ryan (June 12, 2014). "Rutgers' staffer Michelle Edwards to join Hall of Fame Ryan Dunleavy". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved August 18, 2015.


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