ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Thursday evening, an Upper Peninsula nonprofit celebrated another year of connecting students with trusted adult mentors.
Youth Empowering Services (Y.E.S.) celebrated its mentors, sponsors, and community partners at its second annual Holiday Bash. Guests enjoyed dinner catered by Wiles Food Services, drinks, live music by the Jam Band—marking the band’s final performance—as well as raffles, games, and other opportunities to support Y.E.S.
According to Y.E.S. Executive Director Tiffany Hewitt, the mentorship program has nearly doubled in size each year. She says the funds raised through the Holiday Bash are a priceless investment in local students.
“This is just a sincere thank you to the community,” said Tiffany. “A lot of places we go, people know that it’s making a difference. That says it all right there that we’re doing something right. We couldn’t do it without the support of the community.”
In 2024, Youth Empowering Services reached more than 300 students in Delta County and Menominee County. As new schools and more students join the program, the need for mentors continues to grow. Lead mentor Sam Hewitt says there is an especially great need for male mentors.
“If you think that you may be possibly interested in being a mentor, you probably should be,” he said. “It doesn’t take a perfect person. You don’t have to be any certain way, as long as you have good intentions in life and you want to see this next generation succeed and the youth in our area turn into good adults and productive members of society. This is what we’re trying to do, empower our youth.”
To learn more about becoming a mentor through Youth Empowering Services, visit yes906.org. Follow Y.E.S. on Facebook to find out about future opportunities to support the nonprofit.
