As parents we constantly ask, “What is success and how do we measure it”?  For us it means reaching out to the children and connecting them spiritually, socially and educationally in a meaningful way.   Because we believe that our community is a powerful teacher and tool in providing success for our youth, our objective is to enhance our children lives by helping them improve their academic achievement, build their self-esteem and give them a positive outlook on their physical fitness.  We teach academics based on the 3-R’s, Reading, Writing and Arithmetic, even more importantly, we edify the personal 3-R’s (Respect-Self, Respect-Others and Respect-Life). 

 Each year we set measurable goals on how many children we will teach and help to experience life learn lessons.  We plan how many dollars we must raise to be able to serve the youth regardless of their families or their financial situation.  We recruit and train adults who will coach and mentor our youth from all walks of life.  We create partnerships with schools, organizations, churches and alliances to enhance and encourage fund-raising events and promote educational goals.   Fund-Raising is only one part of the organization’s needs.  Involvement is the bigger picture, but the primary goal of YEP! Is generally having a more sound education and communication base for the Youth, Educators and Parents throughout the schools.

 From our investigations, the many myths and misinterpretation about parent-student involvement has parents generally playing “Hide-N-Seek” from the middle and high school educators and the PTA’s.  In today’s setting the parents are wearing many hats: Parents are the provider, the coach, the receptionist, the housekeeper, the bookkeeper, the substitute teacher and the school bus driver.  Therefore, many parents have little time to meet with educators. YEP! has discovered new ideas to “Hide-N-Seek” and has established that the Youth, Educator’s and Parents were not hiding but was merely lost in the society’s needs and demands.

 However, YEP! understands that it’s important for the organization to have programs and activities that are not just aimed at the children but are “relevant for the parents”, programs that give meaning to the statement “It takes a village to raise a child”.  Therefore, by collaborating and partnering with the community, together educators and organizations can provide children with a meaningful education.  The YEP! organization school plans on focusing on “Cultivating Resources in the Community” through education, entertainment and art activities. 

We hope to achieve our goals and we are open to share and report our success with our stakeholders.  We hope that you will become even more involved with YEP! in the upcoming year. 

YEP! is unique…no other organization combines academic, activities, entertainment, development, esteem-building, challenges, physical fitness, art, talent and self-life awareness… all while raising funds. 

YOU! can make a difference in the life of a child! Contribute funds, your time and/or your expertise.