Youth Educational Services (Y.E.S.)

 
Youth Educational Services (Y.E.S.) is a home to 10-14 student-led community engagement programs that provide opportunities for Humboldt students to volunteer in local school and community sites.

Since 1968, Y.E.S. student leaders have initiated over 70 programs to address community needs and support community organizations. Student leaders and volunteers contribute their impressive time, talent and passion to Y.E.S. programs and report gaining hands-on learning, new skills, friendship and support, and self-discovery.

Pause

Volunteers in front of the old Y.E.S House

Drop-In knitting to donate hats to the local shelters

Volunteering at Jefferson Center in Eureka

Program Coordinators & Directors yearly group photo

Y.E.S. Programs

Y.E.S. Programs

Semester-Long Programs

Semester-Long Programs

Semester-long volunteer programs are directed by YES student leaders. Volunteers join a YES program and regularly engage with a team at local school and community sites. This is a great option for students who wish to explore their passions, gain career or job experience, make a positive impact in the community, or make new friendships. 

Weekly time commitment: 2-3 hours

  • Program meeting (1-hour)
  • Community-based volunteering (1-2 hours)

Students must sign up by completing the “Volunteer Interest Form” and register by the add/drop date (3rd Monday of the semester) to secure a spot in a semester-long program. 

Benefits 

  • Learn & bond with peers during weekly workshops
  • Create meaningful connections with community participants & partners
  • Earn 1-unit or use Y.E.S. as field placement for service learning/internship course

One-Time & Low Commitment Volunteer Opportunities

One-Time & Low Commitment Volunteer Opportunities

We have plenty of opportunities for students who are unable to commit to a full semester of volunteering! Some of those opportunities include:

Large Scale Volunteer Events

Large Scale Volunteer Events

We host a large volunteer event once a semester to provide an opportunity for our campus community to come out and volunteer together. These volunteer days typically include a volunteer project, reflection and snacks! Bring your friends, your student organization, or your roommates out for a day of volunteering!

Large Scale YES Volunteer Events Include: 

Spring 2022: Hybrid Volunteer Programming at Y.E.S.

Spring 2022: Hybrid Volunteer Programming at Y.E.S.

Spring 2022
Virtual & Limited In-Person Community Engagement Opportunities

Pen Pal Project:

Humboldt & Y.E.S. students will participate in letter-writing experiences with 4-8th gade classes. Letters provide an opportunity for K-12 students to improve communication skills while learning about the college experience. 

Several Y.E.S. programs will participate in the Pen Pal Project, connecting with local children and youth while exploring the themes of their particular Y.E.S. program. 

This project is part of the Humboldt initiative ConnectED, an effort organized by Center for Community Based Learning (CCBL), Youth Educational Services (Y.E.S.), Early Outreach Admissions and Humboldt academic departments. In the wake of pandemic closures and restrictions, ConnectED provides opportunities for Humboldt students and faculty to support local K-12 students and educators.

Learn more about ConnectED and check out YES Pen Pal letters here!

Program Specific Engagement Projects -  Spring 2022

Y.E.S. programs will continue to engage in mission-based virtual and limited in-person activities with their regular school or community sites. Students will engage in research, lesson planning and remote connections with program participants in Humboldt County. 

Volunteers may also build connections with and provide support for children, youth and elders through virtual and limited in-person projects. 

Note: Each YES program below will host their 1-hour weekly volunteer meetings virtually (on Zoom).  

Overview of Y.E.S. Programs and Virtual Spring Projects 

Art Recreation Theater (ART):  

Boost creativity in children through art, recreation and theater activities 

Virtual project: Pen Pal Program with local 5th-8th grade students

Program Meeting Time: Thursday, 5-6pm

Environmental Education (EE):

Explore nature and environmental issues with children/community groups through workshops and activities  

In-person project: In-person environmental-based engagement wiht Six Rivers Montesorri High School. Support students with outdoor service learning projects. 

Program Meeting Time: Thursday, 6-7pm

Golden Years (GY):

Companionship & connection with local elders (senior citizens) 

Virtual project: letter writing with/for seniors

Program Meeting Time: Wednesday, 6-7pm

Hand in Hand (HnH):

Engage in fun, enriching activities with children living with foster families 

Virtual project: Pen Pal Program with local 5th-8th grade students

Program Meeting Time: Tuesday, 6-7pm

Juvenile Hall Recreation Program (JHRP):

Establish connections with youth who are incarcerated

In-Person / Hybrid project: *Tentative in-person engagement with youth at Juvenile Hall during recreation hour AND Pen Pal Program with local 5th-8th grade students. Volunteers can select to participate in the in-person site visits, virtual pen pal option or both. 

Program Meeting Time: Tuesday, 5-6pm

LEAP:

Encourage self confidenct and leadership through games, outdoor team building and recreation. 

In-Person Project: In-person engagement (and virtual letters) with students at Orick School with a focus on outdoor & leadership games. 

Program Meeting Time: Tuesday, 6-7pm

Puentes:

Bridge the cultural gap between Spanish and English-speaking communities  

Virtual project: Pen Pal Program with local 5th-8th grade students

Program Meeting Time: Thursday, 6-7pm

Queer Mentoring Advocacy Program (QMAP):

Empower and support queer youth and allies. LGBTQ advocacy, support and collaborations with Humboldt campus community and Humboldt County community.

Virtual programming: Virtual Zoom sessions with students in the Diversity Club at McKinleyville High School.

Program Meeting Time: Tuesday, 5-6pm

Study Buddies (SB):

Free one-on-one or small group homework help 

Virtual project:  Pen Pal Program with local 5th-8th grade students. Math and reading enrichment packets for youth at Jefferson Community Center. 

Program Meeting Time: Wednesday, 6-7pm

Youth Mentoring Program (YMP):

Be a positive role model through one-on-one mentorship with a local child

Hybrid project: Tentative in-person mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters with Aracata Elementary students and Pen Pal Program with local 5th-8th grade students. Volunteers can select to participate in the in-person site visits, virtual pen pal option or both. 

Program Meeting Time: Wednesday, 6-7pm

Semester-Long Volunteer Expectations (Spring 2022)

  • Attend weekly program meeting (1-hour/week) *Zoom meetings
    • Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings between 5-7pm
    • Learn, reflect and bond with peers during workshops
  • Engage in community-based volunteer projects (1-2 hours/week)
    • Volunteer teams establish set weekly time to engage in virtual or in-person projects
  • Students who engage consistently in both weekly meetings and engagement can comfortably log 25-30 hours this semester
  • Semester-long volunteers must register for the affiliated Y.E.S. 1-unit course or verify they are enrolled in a service learning or academic internship course (using Y.E.S. as their field placement site) by the add/drop deadline: 1/31/22

Speaker Series

Speaker Series

Each year we host a Speaker Series to help the students, staff, faculty to learn more about community engagement beyond University. Past speakers have included community organizers from Humboldt Area Foundation, True North, and Y.E.S. Alumni!

For Information on our upcoming speakers, go here: https://yes.humboldt.edu/speaker-series


Y.E.S., in partnership with the Humboldt
Library, has published a book highlighting
5 decades of student leadership &
community engagement!

YES Book
Available for purchase on Amazon or download
for free via the HSU Press digital commons

Contracts

YES Youth Educational Services Logo
Sign Up to Volunteer in a Y.E.S Program

Contact Y.E.S.

Meet Humboldt State's Y.E.S.

Youth Educational Services (Y.E.S.) - Spring 2022 Announcement

Welcome to Y.E.S.! Thank you for your interest in our community engagement center and volunteer programs. 

With Humboldt’s continuation of hybrid programming (face-to-face and virtual education), Y.E.S. is still finalizing volunteer programming for spring semester. We anticipate offering  both virtual volunteer opportunities and limited in-person volunteer options.

Join a Y.E.S. program and make a positive difference in the Humboldt community from wherever you are learning this semester!

Y.E.S. will offer phone and Zoom appointments to support student, program and community needs. Please contact the staff members below with questions or to arrange an appointment: