November 1, 1958 – July 5, 2023
We mourn the loss and celebrate the incredible legacy of Jonathan D. Lewis, visionary entrepreneur, social equity leader, and philanthropist, who passed away on July 5th.
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Dr. Carolyn Garwood – 7/25/1927- 7/1/2023
From supporting the YES staff and supporters to having difficult conversations with troubled youth, Carolyn’s commitment to making a difference and celebrating life is a gift she gave to every corner of the world she entered. We were lucky to know her, we all fell in love with her, and we will never forget her.
Claire Tolman, MS Ed.
Claire is a passionate gender and orientation facilitator with a background in sexual health education. Prior to joining the team at YES Institute, Claire worked as a Community Educator at Response for Teens in Chicago, Illinois, where she created and taught… Learn More
You are not alone. You belong.
The mission of YES Institute’s Youth Advisory Leadership Council is: To empower and coach youth to lead YES Institute’s education, to support its vision of a community where all youth are free of suicide, violence, and discrimination.
Why so angry?
The main emotion that teachers see in young men is ANGER; they’re finding boys to be shut down and isolated. This sentiment was shared among more than 130 teachers of all grade levels.
In Honor Of Ed
Founding Member of our Kiaora Society of Donors June 3, 2023, marked a somber day for all who knew and cherished Edwin (Ed) McAmis. It is with heavy hearts that we inform you of his passing, and bid farewell to… Learn More
Ed McAmis | August 8, 1934 – June 3, 2023
June 3, 2023, marked a somber day for all who knew and cherished Edwin (Ed) McAmis. It is with heavy hearts that we inform you of his passing, and bid farewell to a remarkable individual who left an indelible impact on our lives.
What makes a Leader a Leader?
Our Leadership in Action™ (LIA) course gives teams the tools to enhance their individual leadership and work more effectively together as a group. Through inquiry and small group discussions, professionals are able to discover powerful pathways to collaboration and effectiveness, even in moments of disagreement.
Empowered Youth lead the Way: Expressing the Goodness
When YES Institute was founded in 1996, statistics reported that 1 in 3 LGBTQ youth considered self-harm if they were rejected based on their orientation. The latest data from the Trevor Project revealed that: “LGBTQ youth who found their school to be LGBTQ-affirming reported lower rates of attempting suicide.”
Building Bridges in a Polarized World
YES Institute’s communication model provides an alternative to the “I am right, and I will prove you are wrong” context and asks, “Is it possible to create something new together? What could it look like to hear one another, feel heard in the process, see one another, and be seen for your authentic self?”