Youth Services
Youth Empowerment Services (YES!) Program
Through steady Partnership and Guidance, we Empower our youth to Navigate this world with Intention.
YES! Program Mission: Through skillful mentorship, the YES! Program strives to establish trusting relationships and meaningful connections. It is our hope that youth involved in our program learn to identify an authentic sense of self, develop and sustain healthy relationships, recognize and participate in safe communities and live with intention.
Youth Education Program
This program is in partnership with DHS Child Welfare and provides long term mentorship to youth ages 9-21 in order to help minimize the traumatic effects of the Foster Care system.
- 1:1 professional long term mentorship
- System navigation
- Education support
- Placement stability
- Group and Club opportunities
- Community outings and events
- Work readiness skills training
YES! Clubs
Big Life stands for Lessons in Future Empowerment. Combining life skills with recreation and community outings, this club focuses on skill-building, relationship-building, service learning, and fun! Activities include arts and crafts, giving back to and learning about our communities, cooking, games, movies, and so much more!
Little Life stands for Lessons in Future Empowerment. Combining life skills with recreation and community outings, this club focuses on skill-building, relationship-building, service learning, and fun! Activities include arts and crafts, giving back to and learning about our communities, cooking, games, movies, and more!
Mundos! is for self-identifying Latinx youth, and other youth interested in celebrating, learning about, and connecting with the Latinx community. Activities include cooking, indoor and outdoor sports, arts and crafts, watching culturally-relevant movies, and so much more!
FOCUS is a culturally-specific group for youth and mentors. FOCUS celebrates and facilitates conversations and activities centered around Black and African American culture, and combines discussion, community outings, arts and crafts, and skill-building to provide a fun, safe and affirming environment.
Q Club is for self-identifying LGBTQIA2S+ youth and mentors, as well as allies. Club members enjoy crafts, community outings, relationship-building, culturally-specific activities and a fun and affirming space for youth.
Adventure Club is a monthly outdoor exploration club that focuses on experiencing the natural beauty in our community. Combining recreational outings with learning outdoor adventuring skills, Adventure Club hosts hikes, beach trips, snow experiences, and so much more!
D & D Club is for youth and mentors interested in learning about and participating in tabletop role-playing games.
Chess Club is for youth and mentors interested in learning and playing chess.
Provides consultation for PWI mentors
The Education Program aims to provide trauma informed and individualized education services and support to any youth enrolled in the YES! Program. This is a relationship-based service where youth voice is recognized and valued as an essential component of the service plan.
- Provides one on one coaching, homework help and tutoring for the GED exam and traditional diploma track
- Providing consultations for PWI mentors
- Implement social and emotional learning programs to improve engagement and participation in academic settings
- Increase students’ self-confidence and empowerment
- Help youth identify and participate in healthy learning environments
- Help youth navigate and understand programs, supports and financial options regarding college (system navigation)
- Support youth and families in navigating special education and disciplinary systems in schools
Facilitation Services Program
Youth and Family Facilitation services offers Care Coordination meetings, Family Mediation and Ice-Breaker Meetings intended to address and manage crisis and conflict present in the lives of the Youth and Families that we serve. Through skilled and mindful practice, our Facilitators place Youth and Families at the center. This service aims to safely address conflict, increase stability and improve relationships utilizing a trauma-informed, collaborative and culturally responsive approach.
- To engage youth and families in identifying needs and strengths.
- To respond timely and effectively to crisis.
- To aid in the implementation of a service plan aimed at addressing the goals and needs of youth and families.
- To support appropriate Foster Placements for youth.
- To build and maintain healthy relationships for youth and families in the YES! Program.
Work Readiness Program
Work Readiness can help youth with a job search, career exploration, and maintaining/improving their employment. Our goals are to help youth learn about employability, find and keep a job, and start on a career path towards independence!
My Life
Through skilled mentorship, education, community engagement and partnerships, we aim to empower our youth with the tools necessary to engage in healthy, meaningful relationships that are free of abuse, exploitation and violence. Our goal is to offer intensive individual and group mentorship to youth who are at risk, or have current and/or previous experiences with commercial sexual exploitation (CSEC).
This program is firmly rooted in Harm Reduction and Trauma Informed Care approaches. Our providers will be highly trained and experienced professional mentors who will receive clinical supervision provided by PWI, as well as regular outside training and learning opportunities. In order to effectively collaborate with community partners and to best serve CSEC survivors, this service is intended to be flexible and free from stringent service expectations and outcomes.
Our CSEC Support Specialists will offer visits 1-3 times a week and can occur within treatment/placement facilities and in the community, and will be available for support after business hours and on weekends. Additionally, this program aims to strengthen relationships and collaboration with community partners in hopes of continuing to gain knowledge and support from all members of the community who are working towards ending Human Trafficking.
YES! Program Contact
Keaton McFadden
YES! Program Director
Referrals to our YES! program must be made through a DHS Child Welfare caseworker.
"In my 20 years with DHS Child Welfare, I have not seen a program that is more effective in helping youth feel empowered and engaged in their own lives."
– Glenda Marshall, FOCUS Program Coordinator, DHS Child Welfare