What We Do

Programs that Empower

Evidence-based, one-on-one mentoring for students in middle and high school that builds up the whole person.

What makes YEP programs so transformative? Our focus on youth mental health.

When young people live in unstable or stressed homes and environments, they often experience trauma in their early years of development. This adversity can drastically affect their ability to learn and perform to their potential. To worsen matters, these stressors also contribute to mental health struggles which are frequently stigmatized or dismissed.

YEP values the whole student – supporting their physical and emotional health as well as their unique ideas, gifts and potential. We acknowledge their life experiences and build upon existing strengths to develop greater resiliency and capability. We prioritize the health of our youth and promote strong mental health practices as essential to healing the past, managing the present and preparing for a prosperous future.

Young Women Who Win

This one-to-one weekly school-based mentoring program serves middle and high school girls in Title One schools in Palm Beach County. Teen girls are selected in partnership with the school based on student needs such as academic struggles, adverse childhood experiences, maladaptive behaviors, poverty and family challenges. Professional women who volunteer as mentors are trained, screened, and matched with a mentee. Once the match is established, YEP monitors and supervises the match until closure.

Solid standards. Safe practices. Real success. This program utilizes the Elements of Effective Practice for mentoring, a research-informed and practitioner-approved standard for creating and sustaining quality youth programs with safety and effectiveness. Given the heightened mental health challenges among youth, YEP also incorporates an evidence-based mental health program called “Seeking Safety.” Dr. Amanda Davis, a licensed psychologist who also serves on YEP’s Board of Directors, facilitates trainings to help mentors incorporate Seeking Safety into their interactions with mentees. These sessions provide mentors with tools to have difficult conversations with mentees on topics such as anxiety, addiction, depression and other mental health concerns. Mentors state this training is very helpful in understanding mentee issues and feel better equipped to support them.

75 strong and gaining. In 2022, YEP supported 75 mentor matches with the goal of decreasing absenteeism, teaching effective coping mechanisms and improving problem-solving skills.

National Mentoring Partnership

Young adults who are at-risk for falling off track but have a mentor are 55% more likely to enroll in college, 78% more likely to volunteer regularly, and 130% more likely to hold leadership positions. Students who meet regularly with their mentors are 52% less likely than their peers to skip a day of school.

Teen Leadership PBC

Our premiere after-school program is delivered on site at various Title One high schools and delivers learning opportunities through guest lectures by professionals in the community and leadership development activities. The goal of the program is to prepare students for life after high school graduation. Skills-building topics include leadership development, financial literacy and entrepreneurship, college readiness, career preparedness, conflict resolution, microaggressions, personal appearance, etiquette and public speaking.

Character is key. Teen Leadership PBC inspires the leader within by developing five social and emotional learning core competencies: self-awareness, awareness of others, self-management, relationship skills and responsible decision-making. Engagement activities include keynote speakers, small group sessions, team building, business interviews, inspirational and motivational workshops, volunteer opportunities and a closing celebration ceremony.

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Young Voices & Advocates

Raise your voice and be heard. Launching soon! This progressive new program teaches YEP youth how to influence policy change on topics they are passionate about. Get your voice heard — and your issue addressed — by learning about today’s government. Hear from elected officials, candidates and insiders about everything from the power of voting to addressing the local commission about what matters to youth right now and in the future.