Our Story
Youth Engaged in Service, better known as the Y.E.S. Club is a community service organization based in Jacksonville Florida. Maurice Edwards, a middle school math teacher at the time saw the need to take education beyond the classroom and provide his students with the opportunity to be active in shaping the world around them by supporting service projects in their community. Mr. Edwards believes that the best way to inspire leadership and prepare students to be productive citizens is to provide opportunities for youth to interact and serve those who are in circumstances that may be very different from their own.
Edwards-Y.E.S. Club was founded in August of 2014. The group started with just 10 students and continues to grow. The Y.E.S. Club allows youth to become contributing members in their local community by gaining a deeper understanding of the power of choice, social systems, and weighing consequences before making decisions.
Youth members are also encouraged to question societal norms and determine its origin and validity and in doing so, search for ways to improve circumstances, whether it be for an individual or for a group. Members receive support, guidance and instruction on how to navigate through the social expectations and stereotypes of adolescence as well as the stress, demands and peer pressure associated with the world of academica. Youth participating in the program will develop new friendships and build connections to community resources. Each volunteer project will broaden the child's understanding of the world. The experiences will better equip the member to endure challenges and setbacks allowing them to effectively navigate through stages of life as a productive adult members of society who celebrates all levels of diversity.
Mission/Vision
It is the goal of Y.E.S. Club to support and mold its members into well rounded members of society. As such, we follow a 4 point plan for success: Academics, Volunteerism, Societal Awareness and Introspectiveness. These intentional acts will allow members to we well equipped to continue a successful trajectory toward college, entrepreneurship, military, trade school or other positive path of their choosing.
By the end of each school year:
Youth Engaged in Service, better known as the Y.E.S. Club is a community service organization based in Jacksonville Florida. Maurice Edwards, a middle school math teacher at the time saw the need to take education beyond the classroom and provide his students with the opportunity to be active in shaping the world around them by supporting service projects in their community. Mr. Edwards believes that the best way to inspire leadership and prepare students to be productive citizens is to provide opportunities for youth to interact and serve those who are in circumstances that may be very different from their own.
Edwards-Y.E.S. Club was founded in August of 2014. The group started with just 10 students and continues to grow. The Y.E.S. Club allows youth to become contributing members in their local community by gaining a deeper understanding of the power of choice, social systems, and weighing consequences before making decisions.
Youth members are also encouraged to question societal norms and determine its origin and validity and in doing so, search for ways to improve circumstances, whether it be for an individual or for a group. Members receive support, guidance and instruction on how to navigate through the social expectations and stereotypes of adolescence as well as the stress, demands and peer pressure associated with the world of academica. Youth participating in the program will develop new friendships and build connections to community resources. Each volunteer project will broaden the child's understanding of the world. The experiences will better equip the member to endure challenges and setbacks allowing them to effectively navigate through stages of life as a productive adult members of society who celebrates all levels of diversity.
Mission/Vision
It is the goal of Y.E.S. Club to support and mold its members into well rounded members of society. As such, we follow a 4 point plan for success: Academics, Volunteerism, Societal Awareness and Introspectiveness. These intentional acts will allow members to we well equipped to continue a successful trajectory toward college, entrepreneurship, military, trade school or other positive path of their choosing.
By the end of each school year:
- 85% of members will show active volunteer participation within the community by attending no less than 6 activities.
- 95% of members will demonstration successful completion of each academic course by earning averages no lower than a C.
- 85% of members will engaged in introspective thinking and discuss societal issues through attendance of teen summit discussions and activities