Helping young people lead, grow, and transform their communities
At YELLS, youth don’t just participate. They lead.
From mentoring younger students to running a teen-led community café, young people are stepping up as changemakers. They’re building confidence, developing real-world skills, and strengthening the neighborhoods they call home.
What starts with one young person grows into something bigger. Families connect, communities strengthen, and a new story begins.
YELLS equips youth and families with the tools, support, and opportunities they need to lead, grow, and create lasting change. Right now, we’re raising $150,000 to sustain and expand these life-changing programs. Due to lost grants and major funding gaps, we need your help now more than ever.
Through June 26, every dollar you give is matched up to $20,000, doubling your impact!
Your Impact
Helping young people lead, grow, and transform their communities
- $25 – Open Doors for Learning
Sponsor a tutoring and academic coaching session for a YELLS teen. - $50 – Spark Leadership
Provide materials for 55 youth to participate in a leadership or career workshop. - $100 – Fuel Young Changemakers
Support a full week of after-school programming for a student.
- $250 – Strengthen Families
Fund a Family Night where parents and youth grow together. - $500 – Empower Community Action
Help youth lead real community service projects. - $1,000 – Transform Futures
Send 20 youth on life-changing learning experiences
Real Impact. Real Change.
When youth lead, communities thrive.
120+ youth served annually
59.42% reduction in crime in the Franklin Gateway community since YELLS programming began
100% of YELLS seniors graduated high school in 2025
From “Little” to Leader: Jevyn’s Story
When Jevyn first joined YELLS as a timid elementary student, he was simply looking for guidance. What he found was something much more: a community that believed in him.
Over the years, Jevyn grew from a “Little” being mentored to a confident leader mentoring others. He helped lead community events, built connections, and discovered his voice.
Today, he’s graduating high school and heading to college, carrying with him the skills and confidence to impact every community he enters.
“YELLS helps us believe we matter and that we can actually make a difference right here where we live.”
– Jevyn
Jevyn’s journey is the YELLS model in action:
When you invest in one young person, the impact multiplies
From “Little” to leader, Jevyn’s journey shows what’s possible.
Hear directly from a former YELLS “Big”
This is Simone's Story:
The Moment to Invest is Now
This is more than a donation.
It’s an investment in young leaders, stronger families, and thriving communities.
Give before June 26 to double your impact!
