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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Community Spotlight: The Pride Centre of Edmonton
Interview with Esjay Lafayette, Executive Director of the Pride Centre of Edmonton Tell us about yourself and your organization! My name is Esjay Lafayette (he/him) and I am the…
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The Importance of Pride at YESS
Interview with Ash Dafoe, Youth Worker Tell us about yourself and your position at YESS! Hello, my name is Ash (she/they) and I’m a youth worker at the Armoury Resource…
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The Importance of Indigenous History Month
Interview with Nicole Radke, YESS Team Lead June is Indigenous History Month, and June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day! Approximately half of the youth who access YESS are Indigenous…