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Y.E.S. is a community engagement program operating within the Office of Student Life. Y.E.S. is home to over a dozen student-led volunteer programs that collaborate with local schools and community organizations. For over five decades, Y.E.S. has provided students with an opportunity to apply their classroom learning, passions and ideals to address local community needs. Y.E.S. students initiate and lead volunteer programs, while building competencies, relationships and hands-on experience. Many students share that Y.E.S. helps them connect to HSU and the greater community.
"After volunteering in fall of 2020, I learned firsthand how valuable the Y.E.S. experience is. Students are able to learn leadership skills and become mentors and advocates. I was able to create authentic relationships amongst my team by working in an inclusive and diverse environment. Each meeting I felt myself grow and gain confidence in my abilities to volunteer with others and provide services. Humboldt State Universitys Y.E.S. program is founded on engagement, connection, and collaboration. This opportunity gave me a sense of belonging and purpose on campus. It also helped to affirm what field I want to go into after graduation. Youth Educational Services feels like home to me and I feel fortunate to have found my place at HSU." - (Jacquelyn Matthews, ART volunteer F20)
In the face of Covid-19 restrictions and changes, Y.E.S. pivoted to virtual programming and sustained community-based partnerships with the dedication, innovation and energy from student leaders and volunteers. The Y.E.S. commitment to community building persists through the uncertainty and obstacles of this challenging moment.
Y.E.S. has found new ways to connect remotely with local partners. The Environmental Education and Study Buddies teams are creating academic enrichment packets (focused on environmental sustainability, math and language arts) for youth at the Jefferson Community Center. Queer Mentoring and Advocacy Program and Juvenile Hall Recreation Program volunteers are exploring issue education around the needs, resources and programming available for youth who have been incarcerated and LGBTQ youth/allies.
As part of a new HSU initiative, ConnectED, in collaboration with the Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE), Y.E.S. is piloting the Pen Pal Program. This effort connects Y.E.S. volunteers with local 4th-6th grade students for a digital letter exchange. Additionally, volunteers in the Golden Years program also participated in a pen pal project with local elders in Eureka. The pen pal program has fostered enjoyment, creativity and connections for college and elementary school participants, and seniors. While these efforts emerged in response to social distancing measures, we hope to continue the pen pal program at Y.E.S. beyond the pandemic.The digital letter exchange has created new avenues for building community with local schools, especially those at a greater distance from HSU.
Students who participate in Y.E.S. have the opportunity to build skills, boost their resumes, explore career paths, make connections at HSU and in the Humboldt community, even during times of challenge and change. Y.E.S. will continue to make a positive difference and plan for the future when in-person volunteering resumes.
During the last fifty two years more than 70 student-led programs have been established at Y.E.S. Join us and help dream of a bright future for our student volunteers and local partnerships.
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