Youth Empowered to Succeed (YES)

Partners In Ministry developed the Youth Empowered to Succeed (YES) program to empower youth by

instilling a strong work ethic and sense of community responsibility. YES was developed as a program for

youth and young adults who need support, friendship and guidance to reach their goals.

on-one weekly and group mentoring, youth and young adults, ages 13-24, are provided support,

friendship, case management, advice and more to encourage positive development.

The YES program has three desired outcomes:

1. Place youth in full-time, unsubsidized employment

2. Help youth to enter a 2 or 4-year college or university

3. Help youth enter the military

CLICK HERE for more information on the YES program.

Additionally, PIM operates a contract through the Juvenile Justice Community Program (JCPC), the NC

Department of Public Safety.  These programs focus on prevention measures to deter the “School To Prison

Pipeline.” Our Youth Empowered to Succeed (YES) in-school and out-of-school program provides services for

both the WIOA and the JCPC Programs. The (YES) program prepares first-generation youth for career

pathways and college, enlistment in the military and/or unsubsidized employment which support economic

growth and labor force needs intended to grow the capacity and performance of the workforce system.  Youth

are provided skills development through varied work-based learning activities inclusive of in-demand

occupations for the local area. The use of paid work experience, internships, and job shadowing are

prescribed for youth who have limited or no work history. On-the-Job Training placement opportunities are

available for youth who possess employable skill sets or transferable skills but may need skills upgrading.  The

ultimate goal is for youth to gain unsubsidized employment.  The YES program progresses the Youth from

work experience, internship, on-the-job training (OJT), to unsubsidized employment. Ninety-six percent of

participating youth either enrolled in college, enlisted in the military, and/or gained unsubsidized

employment. 

Empowering Youth through Service and Support

Youth and young adults enrolled in YES build relationships with other young adults and mentors over time. YES enrollees also engage in work experience, work training programs, learn leadership skills, serve in the Partners In Ministry community gardens, volunteer their time to assist with the food pantry, visit college campuses, and participate in various workshops throughout the year. Additionally, the program is designed to:

• Offer youth an opportunity to develop an awareness of issues that impact their lives and the community
• Develop habits and tools for ethical and moral decision-making
• Develop leadership skills to inspire participants to become catalysts for change
• Exploration of alternate career options, through paid work experience, internships, and on-the-job training (OJT)
• Encourage participation in service-learning interventions that will connect community service experience with academic learning, personal and spiritual growth and civic responsibilities

YES participants are paired with a mentor who they meet with once a week for two hours. The mentor is encouraged to participate in group activities and outings with their mentee. Shared time and experiences between the mentor and their mentee increase the likelihood for positive interactions and reduce the desire for youth to explore local gangs, drugs or alcohol.

YES participants also receive group mentoring and counseling. As students engage in team building, workshops, personal growth and mentoring, their self-worth begins to increase and new possibilities begin to emerge. Youth begin to achieve their individual goals with the support of staff and their mentor with a focus on growing their confidence and skills while they are enrolled in the program.

YES also serves as a prevention program, providing youth with alternatives to activities that lead to incarceration and dropping out of high school.

Explore Our YES Programs

YES Programs:

• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of Scotland County serves ages 16-24 who are not currently enrolled in school
• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of Richmond County serves ages 14-25 who may or may not be currently enrolled in school
• YES Mentoring Program of Scotland County serves youth ages 13-17