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A Note from the CEO
Dear Friends,

“Before I get out of bed, I am saying thank you. I know how important it is to be thankful.” - Al Jarreau

During these unprecedented times of challenge, no matter what life throws our way,
here at YES, we are thankful.

We are thankful for everyone in the community who has reached out to offer support. We are thankful for the ability to keep our doors open and serve our Youth at this time.
The job has not been easy.

As things continue to change, we have had to creatively alter our program structure to follow safety protocols. The foundation of our service and mission has stayed the same...

To provide runaway and homeless Youth with safety, stability and housing, along with the relationships they need to thrive now and in the future.

The importance of serving our community and keeping our Youth safe during this pandemic has kept our staff alert and ready for any additional challenges.

We are still here, we are thankful and we continue to seek support to better serve the homeless Youth in our community.
A Summer To Remember

  • Covid Testing
  • YES Closet
  • New Classrooms
Covid Testing
In order to maintain the health and safety of our community YES is also participating in weekly Youth and staff covid testing that is being provided by the Department of Health Services.

On our most recent testing day we took the opportunity to distribute needed clothing and toiletry essentials to our Youth in an outdoor, covid friendly, environment.


YES Closet

Many of our Youth enter our program with only the shirt on their backs. In response to our growing need for diverse clothing items, this Summer, we created the YES Closet.

Our Youth now have onsite access to a variety of clothing for job interviews, schooling and daily extracurriculars.

New Classrooms
In order to provide consistent and equitable education for our homeless Youth, YES is excited to announce that, we created classrooms at each of our housing sites.

Since most schooling has been moved online for both lower education and college, YES reimagined some of its spaces. We repurposed a room in each house as a standalone classroom, providing full access to wifi, computers, books, and all other educational resources needed. This also allows for structure and stability during the school week.

We are determined that our Youth do not fall behind.
YES Pride & BLM March!

The Board, staff and Youth at YES celebrated pride virtually this year. Our focus was, "Progression and Inclusion." 

YES has been invariable in its effort to be innovative in our programming and the lenses in which we use for operations. YES' stance on inclusion is firm, as we are a safe space and we include all individuals regardless of ethnicity, gender identification, sexual orientation, race or religion.

YES is proud that we are a majority minority run agency and also that 90% of our population identify in a minority group.

We participate in the Black Lives Matter movement in various forms. This global affirmation of the importance of not only the African American population here in the US, but Black and Brown lives around the world has been truly inspiring. 

Perhaps the hardship of 2020 will come with a greater collective understanding of our shared vulnerabilities as humans - How we are far more similar than we are different and much stronger when we work together.
Events

Hundreds of YES Youth pursue their education each year, anticipating the moment they receive that coveted diploma.

YES is proud to announce that we had 8 brand new graduates this Summer.

Join us in acknowledging the tremendous accomplishments of our graduates:
  • Bridge Program at Antioch University, 2020
  • Helen Bernstein High School, 6/12/20
  • Central High School, 6/11/20
  • LACC GED, 7/2/20
  • Morningside High School, 5/29/20
  • Westchester College CNA Program & HHA, 2020
  • Da Vinci RISE High School, 6/2/20
  • LACC GED, 7/20
  • Youth Build High School, 6/20
While social distancing has changed how we operate, it has not changed our ability to celebrate our Youths' successes.

Congratulations to the Summer 2020 graduates!

Your hard work, dedication and resiliency during these extra challenging times is awe-inspiring.
Click image to watch video.
Community Response

Youth Emerging Stronger would like to recognize the commitment from our community members, corporate partners and sponsors during Summer 2020.

The last few months have been a challenge globally, but because of all of your generosity and in-kind donations we have been able to continue to thrive. Your much needed donations -- like masks, gloves, new clothing items, art supplies, food or monetary contributions have helped us a great deal as we all navigate through the Covid-19 pandemic.

YES is very grateful for all of our donors.  A Huge Thank You to:

YES Spotlight
As we continue to forge ahead, growing our comprehensive services, strengthening our partnerships and fortifying our infrastructure – we want to take a moment to highlight staff members whose dedication has helped us continue to be a leader in the fight to end Youth homelessness in our community.
ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT
Genevieve -- Office Manager
Q1: How long have you been working with Youth Emerging Stronger and what are your current responsibilities?

A:  I have been with YES since early 2017. I like to be the friendly welcoming face in the front office, especially when it comes to the new Youth coming to our door who might be in need of comfort in their new home. 

Things are a bit different right now with the lock-down, but I do a little bit of everything. When you work in non-profit you get to wear a bunch of different hats.

I help keep everything here running, making sure that our Youth and staff have all the supplies they need to do their best. I've discovered that it's often the little things, like a favorite snack or a warm cup of coffee, that can make someone feel at home.
Q3: Why do you love doing what you do and working with YES?

A: I love working in an organization where you can see the immediate impact of your work. At YES we have a positive impact on young lives and that’s what’s most important to me.

I learn a lot working here from fellow employees and from the Youth. It’s a very eye opening and rewarding experience. There's always a new perspective I hadn’t thought of before. We have a welcoming and homey atmosphere without the institutionalized feel that shelters can get. Everyone here cares and it’s really nice to work with people that love their job and what they’re doing.
MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Lady -- Creative Art Therapist
Q1: How long have you been working with Youth Emerging Stronger and what are your current responsibilities?

A: I have been working with YES since 2017. My current responsibilities include providing weekly individual therapy to the Youth in all three of our programs. During individual therapy, I help Youth identify coping skills and provide a safe space for them to process what they are experiencing throughout their time in the program and as they transition as part of their after-care services. I also provide the Youth with group art therapy which is an opportunity for them to provide support for themselves and their peers. Group members check-in, spend 30 – 50 minutes engaged in creative work (i.e., drawing, painting, mask making, collage, writing) sometimes working quietly or in lively conversation, and then we end the group with processing their artwork. Due to COVID-19 we've restricted in person group sessions and expanded more on virtual therapy, including movies and paint club.
Q2:  During these times, how have the Youth responded to the changes and are any of these responses unexpected?

A: We are home to all of the Youth we serve. Our team has been doing an incredible job working hard together to ensure that all of our Youth are safe, fed, cared for, and listened to. Staying home can be triggering for our Youth because it increases "thinking" time. YES provides the support and routine to help our Youth create a new routine to adapt to these times.

I have seen a lot of resilience and adaptability. One of my after-care Youth shared that his whole life has been out of control and that this is just another one of those out of control moments.

Our Youth who are experiencing depression are having the most challenging time because staying indoors can feed into the symptoms. As therapists and staff, we are checking in on them and helping them create a schedule to help them manage their depression.
Shout Out!
YES is excited to announce that we were selected by Nordstrom as 1 of 5 national non-profit organizations to be a part of their Treasure & Bond charitable giving program.

Starting September 14, 2020 when you purchase Treasure & Bond from Nordstrom, 2.5% of net sales will be donated to organizations that support Youth experiencing homelessness.
We are very proud to be a part of this initiative. To participate, shop Treasure & Bond at Nordstrom here, where you'll find everything from cardigans to cutting boards.

Congratulations to the other selected organizations.

  • Covenant House ( Toronto, CA)
  • The Ali Forney Center (NYC)
  • Youth Care (Seattle)
  • The Night Ministry (Chicago)
New Board Member Announcement!
An Enthusiastic Welcome To Aaron Liskin

Youth Emerging Stronger, is very excited to announce the appointment of Aaron Liskin to our Board of Directors.

Aaron is a partner at well-known boutique entertainment litigation law firm Kinsella, Weitzman, Iser, Kump & Aldisert LLP (KWIKA). His practice encompasses entertainment litigation, intellectual property and general commercial litigation disputes, including matters involving profit participation, music royalties, contract, fraud, copyright, defamation, unfair competition and partnership disputes. He is a member of the firm's team currently representing Frank Darabont and CAA against AMC for "Walking Dead" profits.
Aaron Liskin (Left); YES CEO Mark Supper (Right)
When asked about joining the YES board Liskin said, "When I look at the current state of the world around me, I ask myself what I can do to be more engaged. How can I help? Growing up in Los Angeles, I am deeply saddened by the extent of our city's homelessness epidemic and its ever-increasing population of Youth homeless. When I found out about YES and the great work they do for our local homeless Youth, I immediately knew that joining the YES Board is how I can make a difference. I am honored that they have asked me to join."

"Aaron's commitment to making a difference in the Los Angeles youth homelessness problem is inspiring and arising from an authentic desire to transform our city," said Teo Martinez, YES's Board Chairman. "YES's unique approach to supporting Los Angeles homeless and runaway youth is to give them the tools to thrive, and Aaron is an excellent addition to make this happen."

Liskin joins YES during a time of great need for the Los Angeles Youth homeless population. We are excited to have his experience, leadership and innovative foresight. Welcome to YES, Aaron!
Youth Update
While our YES Youth have been successfully navigating the quarantine, they have proven to be an inspiration to all of us here at Youth Emerging Stronger. 

We would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Kendra, one of our recent Youth graduates.

In the time Kendra has been with YES, she has enrolled in nursing school, developed new social enrichment skills and had her case with the juvenile justice system dropped.

After working incredibly hard this year, Kendra graduated Westchester College with a license as a Certified Nurses Assistant. She has now officially transitioned into our aftercare program, secured a full time nursing position and has moved into independent housing.
 
YES is still here for Kendra to provide her with supportive services as she continues to grow independently and thrive into the future.

We are so proud of you Kendra!
Continued Support
We are still on the frontlines of the homeless crisis, like we have always been, providing food, shelter and safety for the most vulnerable Youth in our community. 

We are looking to you for continued support to help with the comprehensive services we provide. 

For more information or to donate today, click HERE! or text "TEAMYES" to 41444.
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DID YOU KNOW... Amazon will donate 5% of your total online purchases to YES at zero additional cost to you?

Click the link to sign up to AmazonSmile today!
Items We Need:
Want to donate in-kind donation items? These are the main items YES is looking for currently:
  • White Hand Towels
  • White Full Size Body Towels
  • Work Shirts Various Sizes (Unisex)
  • Bed Pillows
  • Undergarments Various Sizes (Packed & Sealed!)