The mission of Y.E.S Inc. is to empower youth, families and communities to comprehend, embrace, and practice decision making that ultimately results in a healthy, productive lifestyle. Y.E.S. offers innovative approaches that connect youth, families and communities to opportunities igniting success.

Description:
Y.E.S collaborates with schools, faith based, social services, civic and community organizations to empower youth to raise the standard in society and to develop a model program that can be duplicated throughout the state and the nation. We work with at risk youth ranging from the ages of 11 to 19. Y.E.S provides programs such as mentoring and a peer leadership team, parenting workshops, alternative programs for expelled students, character-building programs, and many more.
Y.E.S. programs serve more than 200 youths per year through direct services, and we partner with more than 100 other agencies, business and community partners to offer our programs.

Y.E.S. has a five member Executive Board that oversees the organization.

Y.E.S. programs are headed by seasoned passionate professionals that include teachers, principals, clinical counselors, vocational educators, communication and technology instructors, sociologists, accountants and human resources specialists. We also have more than 30 dedicated volunteers from all walks of life.



Y.E.S. programs are as follows:
REACH( Raising Education and Combating Hopelessness)-an innovative behavior modification program targeted to at-risk youths. The program is designed to redirect the behaviors that cause an inability to succeed in a traditional classroom setting and in society. Y.E.S. offers this program at the YES Family Resource Center in North Charleston as well as in local public and private schools.

Youth Night Our Mentoring Program-an evening mentoring program the encompasses youth mentoring for at-risk youth who are referred to Y.E.S through the Department of Juvenile Justice, social service agencies, courts and schools. Currently Y.E.S. is funding this program at two sites: Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston and St. James Presbyterian Church on James Island. The goal of Y.E.S. is to expand this program to other sites in the tri-county.

Teen After School Center- Y.E.S. collaborates with the Department of Juvenile Justice to offer a weekly Teen After School Program at the YES Family Resource Center in North Charleston.

Summer Youth Leadership Camp-is a six weeks summer camp that is designed to empower middle school youth to become leaders.

P.E.N. (Parent Empowerment Network)- is a support network that gives parents the tools and resources necessary to become more actively engaged in their children's lives.

History:
Youth Empowerment Services was founded in 1998 by current President/CEO, Roslin Fields,M.Ed. who was born and raised in the downtown Charleston area. After 28 years as a public school teacher, Ms. Fields retired to work full time with at-risk youth and their families. She is very passionate about empowering youth and making a difference in their future.

In December of 1998, Y.E.S. sponsored its first youth rally in North Charleston that attracted over 500 youth and adults.

In November of 1999, Y.E.S. collaborated with other tri-county agencies to sponsor a youth conference in North Charleston that attracted more than 1,200 youth and families.

In 2001, Mayor Keith Summey of North Charleston presented Ms. Fields with the Key to the City for her work with at-risk youth.

Since its inception, thousands of youths between and their families have Y.E.S. to thank for playing a major role in providing lots of fun and planned activities and programs that promote productivity. Over 85% of youth who have been served through Y.E.S. programs become productive citizens. Many of them return to Y.E.S. to render service.

In 2006, Y.E.S. opened and staffed the YES Family Resource Center located at 3262 Landmark Drive in North Charleston. This center is a one-stop facility for families in the Tri-county.

Also in 2006, Y.E.S. partnered with the Department of Juvenile Justice to offer the Teen After School Program at the YES Family Resource Center. In 2007, DJJ also partnered with Y.E.S. to offer J.E.E.P Juvenile Employment Enrichment Program.

Y.E.S. is a member of SCANPO ( South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations), the Charleston Association of Grant Professionals and is in partnership and collaboration with other organizations and agencies that have similar goals and missions as Y.E.S

Ultimately, Y.E.S.would like to reach the masses of young people who have not yet been told the benefits and joy of making thoughtful decisions concerning their lives now and in the future.

Contact people:

Roslin Fields, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Valerie Heyward, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email) Dana Ball, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (843) 767-9925

Address:

3262 Landmark Drive North Charleston, SC 29418 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.yescouncil.org