Youth Empowerment Through Learning Leading and Serving Inc.

“Kevin keefe laura keefe officer executive di married”

“Form 990 is distributed to board memebers to review prior to filing.”

“In their capacity as directors, the members of the board of directors (the "board") of the organization must act at all times in the best interest of the organization. The purpose of the conflict of interest policy is to protect the interests of the organization as an exempt organization, when it is comtemplating entering into a transaction or arragnement that might benefit the private interests of an officer or director of the organization, or might result in a possible excess benefit transaction.”

“The board of directors approves the salary for staff in accordance with a budget presented to and approved annually by the board of directors.”

“Governing documents available to the public upon request.”

“The yells afterschool program provided positive youth development, including leadership, art, recreation, character building, service learning, and academic support for 49 elementary youth daily. The yells model engages the entire family through parent volunteering and participation in educational and community-building workshops. Our work fills learning gaps, bolsters social-emotional development, supports mental health, prepares youth for career and life, and builds connections and social capital for families. Eighty-four percent (41/49) of yells afterschool program youth with data improved by one letter grade or more or maintained an a or b in math or language arts in 2024-2025. Additionally, 100% (49/49) were promoted on grade level. Parents noticed improvements in their children's academic success as well, with 85% reporting that yells is helping their child complete and turn in homework on time. Youth also demonstrated growth in self-esteem and confidence, with 85% of yells afterschool program youth reporting that they feel better about themselves because of the yells program. Furthermore, youth developed social emotional skills, with 89% saying that yells has helped them feel like a leader and 92% indicating a growth mindset after the yells program. Yells also made a difference for parents, with 94% reporting that their family's involvement in yells has increased their success as a parent.”

“Yells marked its first program expansion in the spring of 2024, bringing its proven place-based and asset-driven model to a new community through the launch of the fair oaks yells youth program, offering the first-ever afterschool program at the school. Yells grew this pilot of 9 youth to serve 46 students daily in the 2024-2025 school year. Our strong partnership with the school and teachers, allowed us to provide targeted academic interventions that resulted in 95% of our students being promoted on grade level and 85% improving by a letter grade or maintaining an a or b in math or english language arts. We saw incredible gains as youth were able to discover their skills and grow their leadership as they learned and applied skills to uplift their neighborhood. Youth developed project management skills, practiced projection and positive body language, wrote proposal letters, learned to network, and more as they led community outreach projects including spreading joy through giving handmade paper flowers out in their neighborhood, leading a free lemonade stand to unite neighbors, and organizing a family festival. Once shy students blossomed into confident community leaders. Youth surveys revealed that 91% of fair oaks yells youth reported feeling better about themselves because of the yells program and 88% said they made better choices because of yells. The program had incredible impact with parents as well, with 97% of parents reporting that the yells program helps them feel more connected to their community and 92% learning 3+ strategies to support their child at home.”

“In 2024-2025, the yells community action caf equipped 18 teens with real- world business and leadership skills as they managed their caf as a hub for community-wide education, engagement, and empowerment. Yells teens have become career-ready, developing resumes and applying business and life skills as they engaged neighbors in youth-led events and community- building. In 2024-2025 yells teens networked with local elected officials and community partners about the priorities for their community during a "community caravan" event, hosted and asked thoughtful questions during a police town hall, led a trunk or treat family event, and planned a "movies under the stars" outdoor movie night for the community. The youth's projects strengthen community bonds, foster a sense of neighborhood pride, and lead to long-term change as youth and their families believe in their ability to overcome challenges, develop support networks, achieve success in school, graduate ready for college and career, open the door to economic mobility, and continue to reinvest in their community. Through a partnership with cobbworks, we provided 11 teens and 8 college students with authentic job training through a paid work experience at yells. Teens excelled academically as well. One hundred percent (18/18) of teens enrolled during the school year were promoted on grade level, and 100% of yells seniors graduated. All this resulted in 94% of teens reporting that they believed they had made a positive impact on their community and 100% reporting that they had gained 3+ soft skills through yells. Additionally, parents saw the impact, with 82% saying yells is helping their teen to show more care and kindness and 100% reporting that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the yells program.”

“Yells offered a 45 hour/week, fully-day yells summer camp for elementary school youth. Youth enjoyed an engaging and educational summer with daily affirmations, steam activities, book clubs, sports, team challenges, and choice clubs. We kept youth moving and learning through fieldtrips to adventure air, barnes & noble, and a skating rink. Yells parents learned strategies for promoting literacy at home through our "books and breakfast" workshops for youth and parents hosted each morning before summer camp. Teens also enjoyed an action-packed summer with fieldtips, leadership workshops, and paid work experience as junior staff in the youth program. Expenses noted in this category included in-kind contributions used to support all yells programs and impact.”