Joseph has served on staff with YES Institute for 25 years. As Executive Director of YES Institute, Joseph supports and guides an amazing team who leads continuing education courses for teachers, mental health therapists and medical professionals across South Florida – and national communities via Zoom – working to reduce health disparities of youth and families impacted by gender stereotypes and anti-gay social stigmas. He also serves communities throughout the U.S. through SAMHSA’s TA Network, providing cultural and linguistic consultation to systems of care with youth and adult mental health and substance abuse prevention populations.Joseph has co-authored two public health studies, the first anti-gay and gender-related school bullying study in Florida and a study comparing workplace harassment and inclusion training levels among helping professionals

Joseph also co-produced and directed the LGBTQ Diversity & Inclusion video training for the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau Miami Begins With Me hospitality online training certification program. He is invited as a guest speaker to hospitals, mental health networks, and other community agencies locally and across the US to reduce disparities and improve health outcomes for youth and adults who represent diverse experiences of gender and orientation.

What skills and expertise do you bring to the team?

I’ve worked at YES Institute continually for over 25 years, so I contribute institutional knowledge, history, as well as long-standing relationships we’ve built up and maintained in the community as we propel ourselves forward to innovate with our education. I also benefited from being mentored by YES’ founders, so I also hope to carry their vision boldly into the future.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

YES Institute has done some pretty amazing things, but what’s most rewarding is when parents say, “It’s because of this education, my child is alive today.” Or when a young person says, “When I took that communication or gender course, it changed my life, it gave me the empowerment to finally let myself be me” or “Meeting the YES Institute community made me feel finally I’m not alone.”

What has YES Institute done that you’re particularly proud of?

I’m most proud of YES Institute for bringing seemingly opposed “groups” of people together, shifting the context of “us vs. them” to “all of us”. Also, our willingness and openness to work with people from all walks of life, beliefs, backgrounds, and to listen to people and connect with the whole community.

I’m most grateful to our amazing financial contributors and volunteer speakers who dedicate a lot of their time, passion, and energy and contribute much enthusiasm for our work, we couldn’t serve the 8,000 people we reach every year!

What learning experience had the biggest impact on who you are now?

Learning how to lead the Communication Solutions™ course and master the distinctions of our education has changed my life for the better. Being a course leader, I’m always challenged to make sure I’m really listening to people, and getting not just what people might say, but also what’s often behind what they say, or what they are afraid to be authentic about.

Our Communication Solutions™ course and the distinctions in our work keep me always in a reality check with myself and others, and my word and commitments to people. I feel I’ve been able to handle more responsibilities and be more effective in my life, when in the past I would have shirked away from them. The tools in our Leadership in Action course allow me to be an effective, productive person. I’ve been able to achieve more goals and stick to my commitments in my life more than college or university education provided me. I can listen and connect with people now in ways I never dreamed I could.