Youth Educational Support Services

Youth Educational Support Services (YESS) was started because of a community’s concern over increased youth gang activities. Perceived benefits resulting from youth gang membership include affiliation, acceptance and achievement. However, youth gangs often meet these needs in a negative and destructive manner. At-risk youth appear to be the most susceptible to youth gang recruitment efforts.

In 1992, a group of local community leaders made a commitment to compete with youth gang recruitment efforts by providing adventurous outdoor activities for at-risk youth. These activities were designed to be fun, adventurous and educational. They would provide opportunities for affiliation, acceptance and achievement in a positive venue. Special emphasis would be placed on staying in school, succeeding academically, remaining drug free and resisting youth gang recruitment efforts. As a result of this commitment, Youth Educational Support Services was chartered in the State of Texas as a 501-c-3 non-profit youth organization.