United Way of Greater Cincinnati - LIVE UNITED

Youth Engaged in Service (YES)

_{Formerly Youth Action Council (YAC)}

YES is comprised of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky high school students, YES encourages young people to volunteer and organizations to better involve youth.

As a member of YES you will:

• Participate in planning meetings
• Complete monthly community service projects
• Recruit friends to participate
• Meet new friends from the region
• Make a difference in the community

Get involved and spread the word!

• Fill out an application to join YES
• Visit us on Facebook to get updates on upcoming projects and see photos and results from past projects
• Download and share the YES flyer with your friends

APPLY FOR THE YES CHAIR POSITION!

The YES Chair will be responsible for helping to select projects and training topics, recruit new members, participate at our monthly service projects, attend United Way’s Leadership Council meetings and community volunteer events, such as the Global Youth Service Day Symposium (as applicable when not intervening with school).

Application is due July 12, 2010 by 5 p.m.

Thank you to all of our YES members for a great year of service!

107 volunteers served more than 440 individuals through 30. 5 hours of service; a contribution of more than $8, 500.

Latest Projects

May Service Project	April Service Project
Starfire Council of Greater Cincinnati	Camp Dream Catcher
On May 13, 2010 YES held its final service project for the school year at Starfire’s Spring Dance. Volunteers helped serve food and drinks and took part in dancing with the party-goers. Complete with a conga line, “Y.M.C.A.” and the “Hokey Pokey,” The Hartwell Recreation Center was abuzz with activity. Starfire Council of Greater Cincinnati offers innovative programs that address the emerging needs of teens and adults with disabilities. The value contributed to this project through time was more than $250.   We would like to thank more than 100 high school volunteers who took part in eight service projects this school year and contributed more than $8,500 through service.	On Saturday, April 17, 2010, 21 volunteers enjoyed the outdoors with some friends from The Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Cincinnati. The Epilepsy Foundation hosts, Camp Dream Catcher, a uniquely designed program to give children with epilepsy the typical camping experience that their peers enjoy, with the added guidance of trained epilepsy specialists to care for their specific needs. On this day, volunteers served as camp counselors and assisted with horse rides, canoeing, crafts, and games. This simple interaction meant a great deal to the kids who love having someone around to play with and talk to. Despite any medical conditions, the volunteers, campers, and counselors were able to LIVE UNITED. The value contributed to this project through time was more than $1,750.
View more photos from this project on Facebook	View more photos from this project on Facebook

See more photos from past projects on our YES Projects Archive

Past Projects

March 2010

On Saturday, March 6, 2010, YES volunteers learned what it takes to be a self-sufficient and sustainable community through green initiatives. At Imago, volunteers helped with a habitat restoration and beautification project of a greenhouse by composting, planting and landscaping the area that provides produce and communal space to the residents of the Enright Ridge Urban Ecovillage. Through their service they learned the importance of this community’s efforts to salvage, re-purpose, and rehab to improve their homes and neighborhood.  Imago is a 16- acre habitat preserve in Price Hill. It is a grassroots community-based, urban ecological education organization committed to living in harmony with the Earth and its people. The value contributed to this project through time was more than $700. View more photos.

February 2010

Sometimes the small things go a long way in brightening up someone’s day. All it may take is a cookie, a card and some good company. On Thursday, February 11, 2010 YES volunteers brought Valentine’s Day to the women and children at Welcome House, a United Way agency partner, in Covington, KY.Volunteers and residents decorated cookies and made crafts and cards for their loved ones. These simple activities gave time for the volunteers to work with, speak to, and learn about the residents and the services provided by Welcome House. Welcome House collaborates with the community to provide a continuum of quality services for individuals and families who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless to eradicate homelessness, foster stability and promote a just society. The value contributed to this project through time and materials was more than $200. View more photos

January 2010

Education and health are two of United Way’s key focuses. On Saturday, January 23, 2010, 15 YES volunteers helped put that message into action by aiding youth with disabilities at Stepping Stones Center’s Saturday Kids Club. Stepping Stones Center is a United Way agency partner that provides year-round opportunities for children and adults with disabilities to increase independence and promote inclusion within the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky community. Volunteers took part in an animal themed day, complete with face painting, a scavenger hunt, “duck, duck goose,” and walks in the beautiful Indian Hill surrounding. The interaction is crucial in building the youth’s motor and social skills. The value contributed to this project through volunteer time was $2,126.25. View More photos

December 2009

In the spirit of the holidays, YES members helped put together a holiday party for Brighton Center’s Every Child Succeeds program on December 15, 2009 at St. John's Church in Newport, KY. The group provided a lasagna dinner, which fed over 150 people, helped distribute gifts and decorate cookies, and prepared and cleaned the room. Every Child Succeeds is a home visitation program for first time parents in Campbell and Boone Counties. The program encourages positive parent-child interaction, increases child-health indicators, and increases the percentage of children with normal or above normal development.The value contributed to this project through volunteer time and materials was $1,180. View more photos

November 2009

On Saturday, November 7, 2009, YES Members, joined by several members of Public Allies Cincinnati, raked leaves for senior homeowners assisted by Sycamore Senior Center. Sycamore Senior Center allows older adults to live their lives with independence and dignity for as long as possible in their own homes. Center programs include education, health screenings, exercise and wellness programs, social activities, computer training, and volunteer opportunities. The value contributed to this project through volunteer time and materials was $1,240. View more photos

October 2009
On October 29, 15 YES members helped prepare a spaghetti dinner for the mothers and children living at Bethany House Services. Bethany House Services provides housing, education and assistance programs to homeless and disadvantaged women and children. While there, the volunteers also assembled goody bags and spent quality time playing, reading and drawing with the kids.The value contributed to this project through volunteer time and materials was more than $1,000. View more photos

Can't attend any of the events above? Visit United Way's The Volunteer Connection Web site or download our Volunteer & Go Guide to find more upcoming volunteer opportunities.

For more information or to sign up for a service project, e-mail nickol.mora@uwgc.org or call United Way 211 (dial 2-1-1).