2021/2022 Annual Report
This year at YESS, we celebrated our 40th Anniversary of helping young people in crisis. We are extremely proud of the work done this year and the over the last 40 years to ensure a safe place for young people to land and begin to rebuild their lives and futures.
Over the past 40 years, YESS has grown from an overnight emergency shelter program for 16-18 year old youth to an organization with 24/7 diversion shelter, temporary supportive housing, and walk-beside support services for young people in crisis aged 15-25. I have been honoured to walk beside YESS in their evolution in the community, first as a community member and donor, then as their strategic brand advisor, and now as the President and CEO. Throughout all of my experiences with YESS, one thing has remained steadfast— the dedication to make things better for young people. The last couple of years have been some of the most difficult, complex, and heart wrenching for the staff at YESS, as they navigate a global pandemic and drug poisoning crisis, and in true YESS form, they have risen to the need. I am incredibly proud of the humans who make up YESS—they are making life and community safer for our future leaders. They are the change we need in this world. I wish us all another 40 years of success.
Thank you to the agency partners, supporting services, funders, donors, vendors, volunteers, and advocates of YESS. We cannot do this work without you and we are forever grateful.
Much love,
Margo
2021/2022 Outcomes & Results
Some of the success stories
I disciplined myself so strongly because I wanted change. I am so resilient. I always have been, but I didn’t see it until I had gone through treatment... I worked so hard to build up all my supports to be where I am today.
Mariah, YESS YouthWhen I became sober, I felt like I became a completely different person. I was positive about life, talkative, met good friends, and felt like I was able to succeed and move on from pretty traumatic events in my past.
Alyssa, YESS Youth
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Thanks to The Orange Door Project!
In December 2022, The Home Depot Canada Foundation hosted their annual Orange Door Project holiday campaign in support of youth-focused charities across the country! The Home Depot Canada Foundation is committed…
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Donor Spotlight: Interview with Bill Pechtel
Tell us a bit about yourself! I was born and have lived my entire life in Edmonton. We had a family business on the Southside (99 St. and 82 Avenue)…
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Community Spotlight: Bissell Centre
Tell us about yourself and your position at Bissell! Hi! I’m Nola Visser, the Manager of Permanent Supportive Housing with Bissell Centre. I have been with Bissell for about a…