Youth Empowerment Services, Inc.

Joshua (15 years old), was living with his grandmother who was taking care of him and his younger brother because his mother was shot to death.  Joshua was grief stricken and had a hard time adjusting to school.  He was sent to a local Alternative School, but did not fit into that setting as well and was expelled.  His grandmother heard about the Y.E.S. program for expelled and suspended students, and asked us to help him. Joshua confided in our mentors, worked on assignments and connected well with adults. He attended our Summer Leadership Camp where he served as a peer mentor for younger boys. He even brought his younger bother to the summer program.  Joshua remained in our program until he reached the age of 16. At that time, he was referred to one of our collaborating organizations that work with older teens. He was also assigned a mentor. Joshua is now doing fine. He is working on his GED and is enrolled in a job training program. His grandmother still visits the center and offers her assistance.

Robert  (14 years old), had been expelled from the a local Alternative School for two years. He did not like school and was not being successful. His mother enrolled him in the Y.E.S. mentoring program hoping for the best. She also faithfully attended the required parenting sessions. Robert attended the program regularly even though he had to ride two different city buses to get to the center. While in the program, Robert was well-behaved and worked diligently on assignments and tasks. His mother sent Y.E.S. a letter thanking us for helping her and her son. She commented that he was the happiest she had ever seen him when he was in the Y.E.S. program.

Tameka (15 years old), had repeated the 7^th grade three times. She loved math and enjoyed challenges. This student and her family was been homeless for years. She was intelligent and had strong leadership skills, but her survival in life was her family’s daily concern. School was not a priority. Her mother looked to Y.E.S. for help. Our staff and volunteers collaborated with other agencies and community organizations to provide services for this family and to make the school system aware of her plight.

Annette (16 years old),  was only 12 years old, she and a group of other youth and adults robbed a store. She was placed in the State Juvenile Justice System. Her probation officer brought her to our center and asked us if we could provide mentoring and guidance for Annette. We enrolled Annette in our faith based Youth Night Out and After School Program and matched her with caring mentors. Annette enrolled in a GED program and is doing well. She said that our programs and mentors are helping her to make the right choices.

Kenneth (15 years old), was referred to Y.E.S. during the summer through DJJ because he did not succeed in school the previous year.  He had begun to associate with youth who were drop outs and drug dealers and was very disruptive in school so he was placed on probation. He was enrolled in our job training program and our Summer Youth Leadership Camp. He was also given a job at our resource center where he proved his leadership skills.

Kenneth developed a relationship with one of our volunteer staff, Mitch Mitchell, who discovered that Kenneth’s goal was to become a stock broker. Since that time, Mr. Mitchell has been mentoring Kenneth and taught him how to read the Wall Street Journal’s Stock reports.  Mitch  spend quality time together going to ball games, cultural events, college tours, and having lunch to talk about the economy and the future.  This relationship has empowered Kenneth to reenter school and join ROTC.  Kenneth is making good grades in school and has changed his at-risk behaviors. We believe that one day he will reach his goal of becoming a stock broker.

Monique (13 years old), was expelled from the one of the area’s alternative schools and was referred to our program. She was very hostile at first, but our caring mentors worked with her and her family to get her to control her anger. She become began to take on leadership roles and successfully completed our mentoring program. She is now back in school and succeeding.

Janet and Lisa are sisters who have been a part of Y.E.S. mentoring program for 10 years. We met them when Y.E.S. sponsored a community mentoring program in the former North Park Village housing projects in North Charleston. Since that time the girls have excelled in school and have been active participants in Y.E.S. programs. They have both served as peer leaders.

Lisa, the older of the two, graduated second in her class from North Charleston High with a 3.5 GPA.  Her salutatorian speech was clear, concise, and heart warming. I was proud that Y.E.S. was a part of her success story. Lisa is attending USC Aiken next week.

“This has changed my life… It’s real hard out there. But when I leave here ( Y.E.S. Center), after the summer, I’m going back to school with  a new attitude” Youth

“ I don’t know what I would have done without this program. I have this program to thank for helping me stay out of trouble” Youth.

“The people at Y.E.S. is like my family. I can talk to you all and you understand” Youth

“My daughter went through your building healthy relationships program as a teenager. She is now an adult on her own and she is still a virgin thanks to the help of your program” Parent

“My daughter has matured and has been a different person since being a part of your mentoring program.” Parent