Hello << Test First Name >>!

It's spring! And while the warmer weather is a welcome change, it's a sobering reminder that for unhoused young people, the dangers of living unsheltered don't disappear with the cold. As temperatures rise, we often see an increase in youth reaching out for safety, and our beds remain in high demand. As such, our focus stays steady: providing not just shelter, but the stability and support young people need to rebuild their lives. 

As the city blooms, so does momentum at YES. Over the coming months, youth and staff will be celebrating Mental Health Month in May, with mental health hikes, outdoor yoga sessions led by community volunteers, and workshops with our mental health team. Beyond that, we'll be celebrating the kickoff of Pride month and Juneteenth with our annual celebrations!

Read on to catch up on everything happening at YES!

Vote for YES at Lazy Acres!

We're thrilled to share that Youth Emerging Stronger has been selected as a candidate for Lazy Acres Natural Market's Envirotokens program!  Voting is open now through June 2 — and you can vote once a day! Just head to lazyacres.com/community/envirotokens-vote-los-feliz, select store Los Feliz, and cast your vote for Youth Emerging Stronger. It takes less than a minute, costs you nothing, and makes a real difference!

Visions for the Future

As part of our enrichment programming, YES staff recently held vision board making sessions with both our minor and transitional-aged youth. These sessions invite young people to explore their futures through a visual lens — whether that means mapping out a career path, dreaming about a home of their own, or simply finding images that make them feel hopeful. For youth who have faced significant instability, being encouraged to imagine a future at all is a meaningful step. 

Continued Staff Training

At YES, we're committed to ensuring our staff have all the skills they need to effectively guide our youth and ensure their safety. Our most recent workshop focused on substance use awareness and support training. Staff learned how to recognize early warning signs, respond with compassion rather than judgment, and connect youth with appropriate resources — because meeting young people where they are is the foundation of everything we do. This kind of ongoing investment in our team directly translates to better outcomes for the youth we serve.

Back To School for Sam!

After having to break from schooling during his time as an unhoused minor, Sam has successfully completed his summer school classes, putting him back on track to earning his high school diploma! He's excited to be working hard towards his academic goals and eventual graduation. Additionally, Sam recently started working with one of our family therapists to explore avenues for reunification. He will start having mediated sessions with his guardians in the coming weeks to assess the possibility of ongoing housing and support with his family.

Building Confidence to Overcome Challenges

When Malina arrived at YES, she was experiencing symptoms of PTSD and accompanied struggles with self-esteem which made it difficult to find employment. Working with YES therapists, Malina has utilized new coping skills to boost her capacity -- securing herself a position at a Hotel right here in Hollywood! She plans to continue developing her role there long-term, and to do this has already enrolled to obtain her food handling and front desk operations training. We hope Malina is as proud of her hard work and progress as the team at YES are!