YES Institute is actively conducting its sought-after professional development training sessions for public-serving organizations, including the US National Park Service, Catholic Charities Legal Services of Miami, Miami Job Corps, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County. These sessions forward YES Institute’s vision of a community in which all youth can develop as healthy individuals free of suicide, violence, and discrimination. Dialogue and learning sessions inspire supervisors and employees on the topics of communication, leadership, as well as gender, and orientation, ensuring psychological safety for coworkers and clients alike. 

The US National Park Service, known for its commitment to preserving America’s natural and cultural resources, welcomed YES Institute to enhance its internal work culture. The sessions focused on promoting inclusivity, understanding diverse perspectives, and improving communication among park staff and leadership. Employees were engaged in discussions about teamwork and effective communication. Participants shared:

“I learned about how to acknowledge the other person, make them feel seen, and steps to calmly and safely diffuse and discuss our problems and differences, even if we don’t 100% agree on some things. This course was well timed as I just accepted a higher grade position at the park, where I am going to be more likely to encounter communication breakdowns.” 

“I learned that my workplace wants me to be brave and speak up and will support me.” 

At Catholic Charities Legal Services of Miami, which provides crucial support to underserved populations, the sessions were tailored to address the unique challenges legal professionals face. The training emphasized the importance of creating a welcoming environment for clients of all backgrounds, ensuring that everyone receives fair and compassionate service. Their staff requested best practices and ways to approach conversations on sexual orientation and gender-based violence, as an increasing number of political asylum cases are connected to these topics. A participant shared: 

“I learned a lot. One thing that made this presentation very helpful was explaining terms and distinctions. I really liked both presenters, and want to thank you for everything you do. It was a very helpful learning session on how to ask questions with our clients that will help them feel accepted.” 

Miami Job Corps, dedicated to offering young people free education and vocational training, collaborated with YES Institute to prepare its staff and students for a diverse workforce. The sessions focused on building a culture of respect and understanding, essential for professional development and personal growth. By addressing topics of gender and orientation inclusion, the program helped participants develop the skills needed to thrive in multicultural workplace environments, promoting both individual and collective success. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County, an organization that creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships, benefited from YES Institute’s expertise in fostering strong, inclusive psychological safety practices. 

“I felt that YES Institute created a space for those of us that do not speak up often, to share feelings and address roadblocks that cause withheld but necessary dialogue among our colleagues.” 

The feedback from these sessions has been overwhelmingly positive. Participants across all organizations have reported a deeper understanding of fostering a safe and welcoming workplace for staff and clients. Many have highlighted the practical nature of the training, noting that the strategies discussed are immediately applicable to their daily interactions. 

If you are interested in having YES Institute partner with your organization, please use this Request for a Proposal form (link) and we will contact you!

Join us for Communication Solutions™ on September 7 & 8. Learn more and register here:

https://yesinstitute.org/courses/education/communication-solutions/

Upcoming Workshops and Courses at YES Institute

Join us for our 6th Annual Bowling With a Purpose Tournament at Bird Bowl. Learn more and register your team here:

https://yesinstitute.org/bowling