When I walk through the doors of the Youth Empowered Society (YES), I’m reminded that the heartbeat of our mission isn’t just the youth we serve—it’s the community that stands behind them. Every meal shared, every winter coat donated, every dollar contributed—weaves a safety net of hope for young people who too often have none.

This year, I’ve witnessed extraordinary resilience. A young person came to our drop-in center after sleeping in a car for weeks. With support from our team and partners, they now have a safe place to stay, a job, and plans to enroll in school. Stories like theirs are possible because of people like you—neighbors, donors, and partners who believe that no young person should ever have to face homelessness alone.

Organizations like YES thrive on both collective action and individual compassion. Funders such as the Annie E. Casey Foundation, T. Rowe Price Foundation, and the Abell Foundation have helped us expand our reach, but it’s also the $25, $50, and $100 gifts from everyday Baltimoreans that keep our lights on, our showers running, and our youth fed.

As we approach the end of the year, I’m asking for your help. Your year-end donation—no matter the size—has an immediate, direct impact. It helps us provide essential services—from housing navigation to peer mentorship—for the 160 youth we serve annually. It fuels programs that restore dignity, build trust, and transform lives.

Now is the time. Your support matters more than ever.