Showing up for Franklin Gateway When decisions are being made about land, development, and the future of a community, the voices of those who live there matter most, especially the voices of young people who will grow up with the outcomes of those decisions. That belief was put into action…
Our YELLS youth recently brought the community together through youth-led hot cocoa stands at our Franklin Gateway and Fair Oaks locations. Long before the first cup was poured, our youth spent weeks learning, planning, and practicing what it truly means to lead with purpose. In the month leading up to…
Finding Our Piece in Community: Building Connections at YELLS Parent Night As youth returned for another year of learning and leadership, YELLS parents gathered at both our Franklin Gateway and Fair Oaks locations to connect, reflect, and define their roles as community leaders. At YELLS, we believe change is a…
After 16 years of honing our place-based model in the Franklin Gateway community, we are thrilled to share that YELLS expanded our powerful youth leadership approach to a new neighborhood! In 2024, YELLS launched the Fair Oaks YELLS Youth Program for Kindergarten to fifth grade youth within Fair Oaks Elementary…
At YELLS, we believe youth aren’t just the future. They’re leaders today. This past year, the young people of Franklin Gateway and Fair Oaks proved just that, taking their neighborhoods into their own hands and transforming them with creativity, passion, and love. From our youngest K-5th grade changemakers in the…
At YELLS, we believe the power to transform a neighborhood lives within the people who call it home. This year, that power shone brightly through the parents who have joined hands with us to shape not just their children’s growth, but the future of their families and their community. Our…
At YELLS, we believe that building strong leaders starts with building a strong community where mentors, role models, and neighbors come together to support youth, and the Life University Women’s Rugby Team has become an invaluable part of that community. These incredible student athletes have brought their energy, discipline, and…
From the moment Jevyn Clark joined the YELLS Mentoring Program as a silly, but timid elementary school “Little,” he was watching, learning, and soaking it all in. He studied his “Big,” David, as he pitched service projects and brought ideas to life. That early exposure to mentorship and leadership planted…
At YELLS, we empower youth to serve and uplift their community, and it’s inspiring to see that spirit continue long after they graduate. Fozia Paracha, a former “Big” in our YELLS Mentoring Program from 2009–2011, is a shining example of paying it forward. After moving back to the area, Fozia…
When Chidubem joined YELLS last year, he brought his vibrant personality, full of positive energy and enthusiasm. At first, his eagerness sometimes made listening and following directions a challenge. He was so full of excitement he could hardly sit still. Chidubem has since turned those very traits into strengths, becoming…
