“The work of YES Institute is very different from that of many non-profit organizations. The vision is crystal clear and the work is laser-focused on creating fundamental social change. Through this work lives are saved, families reunited and minds and hearts are forever changed. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of something that impactful?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We wanted to include everyone in conversations about keeping youth safe, so we built YES Institute on a foundation of open, inclusive dialogue. People have opinions about gender and orientation based on myths and stereotypes, and I see this as an opportunity to provide education.”

 

 

 

 

 

From the Co-Founders:

A vision, a commitment, and a call to action so powerful that fear and hesitation are left behind. These are the seeds from which then Project YES grew and the underpinnings that sustain it as YES Institute 25 years later.

Our personal “Project” started as a volunteer effort, never intended to become an organization. We began meeting with local community leaders and educators to find out what could be done to keep youth from wanting to kill or harm themselves. In these meetings we discovered two missing pieces to the puzzle of why well-intentioned professionals were not taking effective actions: they lacked education and they were not comfortable talking about gay youth.

This led to the clear focus that was to become YES Institute – providing education and powerful communication that enables adults to serve all youth even when they are uncomfortable or hold conflicted opinions on the subject.

We have taken a stand for a world where no one would be harmed or harm themselves because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. This call to action propels the work of the staff, board, volunteers, and supporters of this organization.

The rewards of this work are many. Lives have been saved; families have been reunited; young people have returned to churches and schools; and joyful futures have been forged from ruinous crisis situations.

There is nothing more enlivening than knowing that due to your efforts, another person’s life will be better. YES Institute creates the opportunity for that experience. We are grateful every day for the chance to participate with the most generous people in the world towards this worthy goal.

YES has been one of the greatest gifts in our lives.

– Connie and Martha