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.
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:
- Volunteer Opportunity Program (VOP) - Weekly volunteer service projects at the Potowat Community Garden during growing & Harvesting season
- Drop-In Volunteering - Weekly one-hour projects on campus (knitting)
- Homecoming Volunteer Project (TBD)
- Martin Luther King Jr Day of Service
- Serve-A-Thon on Cesar Chavez Day
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:
- Homecoming Day of Service: October date TBD
- MLK Day of Service on MLK Day in January
- Serve-A-Thon on Cesar Chavez Day
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