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Youth Enrichment ServicesYouth Enrichment Services (YES) is a non-profit based in Boston, Massachusetts that offers outdoor and enrichment programming outside of school to at-risk youth.[1] Its primary program is to teach city youth to ski or snowboard using volunteer instructors.[2] The organization was founded in 1968 by Richard Williams as Operation Ski Lift as a way to expose inner city youths to the sport of skiing, and was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 1972.[3][4] In early years it received grants from the City of Boston, but today is run on donations from corporations and individuals.[5] It is supported by Olympic skier Ted Ligety.[6] Year round activities such as backpacking, canoeing, bicycling and environmental education trips to the Cape Cod National Seashore and to Swann Lodge in the Berkshires were added in the 1970s.[3][4] The current headquarters in a South End brownstone were built in 1987.[3] In 2007 the YES Academy was founded to include Career Exploration, College Preparation, Girls Outdoor Adventure Leaders and Junior Volunteers programs.[1][3] Today, additional programs offered by YES include ski and snowboard lessons, track and field programs, kayaking, mountain biking, and rock climbing.[7][4] More than 100,000 youths have been served by the organization since it was founded,[3] with about 7,500 youths being served a year, mostly in winter.[5] In 2015, 200 youths participated in the YES Academy, which is a 40% gain over the same period three years prior.[1] YES ProgramsOperation SnowSports:
Outdoor Adventure:
YES Academy:
Notable alumniReferences
External links
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