Our mission is to empower young people to become effective, responsible, global citizens by providing opportunities for service learning, environmental education, leadership development, and cross-cultural awareness.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work is essential in cultivating a responsive, accountable, and more socially and environmentally just organization. We are pleased to announce that the YMCA Earth Service Corps (YESC) Advisory Board, after an extensive process drafting and incorporating input from YESC’s youth stakeholders, has developed a YESC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Vision Statement. This statement will guide and inform all aspects of our program as we continue to strengthen our culture of equity and empower young people as environmental leaders.
In YESC, we support young people as they strengthen their sense of agency, increase their confidence, and expand their skill set to address the local and global issues of our time. In doing so, we collectively reinforce the connections between humans, the environment, and our communities.
We envision a society in which young people understand their role and impact in their environments and are included in decision-making processes—because they are impacted by the outcomes. We encourage young people to advocate for themselves and their communities in collaboration and dialogue with others of different backgrounds. With young people at the table, we broaden the scope of environmentalism to include social and environmental justice, human interconnectedness with ecosystems, and cultural values around nature.
The four pillars of the YESC program are Service Learning, Leadership Development, Environmental Education, and Cross-Cultural Awareness. These guiding principles shape every aspect of YESC's program model.
Youth choose and implement environmental projects; YESC provides resources and assistance. YESC youth projects have included ecosystem restoration, waste stream monitoring and education, gardening, environmental advocacy at the state and local level, and more.
From kayak beach cleanups to waste audits, hands-on environmental education is at the heart of the YESC program.
YESC is unique for its youth-centered approach to creating change. We believe young people have the capacity to lead the environmental movement and change the world. We support our youth as they tackle problems, create solutions, and develop teamwork and confidence.
YESC strives to promote understanding and emphasize equity and justice by exposing young people to a variety of cultural experiences and environmental perspectives.
Since its founding, YMCA Earth Service Corps has partnered with Washington Service Corps and AmeriCorps to provide service opportunities to young adults ages 21 and older. These young adults serve as school year program instructors with 5-6 of our YESC green teams, mentoring youth as they develop leadership skills and complete environmental service projects. If you’re interested in learning more about AmeriCorps with YESC, contact us at yesc@seattleymca.org.
In 1989, a group of youth from Garfield High School in Central Seattle wanted YMCA support for their tree planting event, Earth Day in May. With help from Bill Sieverling, Nan Little, and Jennifer Parker, the planting event blossomed into a collaborative, youth-led program to address growing environmental concerns.
YESC experienced explosive growth during the first year. The goal was to involve 100 students from five schools. On November 8, 1989, YMCA of Greater Seattle hosted the program’s first official event: an Environmental Symposium at the University of Washington. 270 youth from 13 Seattle-area high schools attended. Word spread, and soon teachers and parents literally demanded to be included in the program.
Over the next year, youth-led a series of Experience Days – exploring culture, science, outdoor recreation, and hands-on environmental action – launching classic YESC components like the Leadership Retreat, Student Advisory Council, and habitat restoration. Youth also hosted students from Thailand, Japan, and India for a two-week cultural exchange.
In May 1990, youth, teachers, and YMCA staff presented the Earth Service Corps model at the Youth Environmental Action Conference in Washington D.C. Grants enabled YESC to expand nationally throughout the 90s, establishing six regional resource centers based in Boston, New York, Nashville, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Seattle - at one point serving over 20 cities.
In the early 2000s, YESC Seattle introduced the Eco-Retreat - a weekend of intensive leadership training and outdoor activities. In 2005, YESC organized a week-long service trip to Costa Rica. 2009 saw the first Environmental Leaders Summit, celebrating YESC’s 20th anniversary.
Three decades later, YESC continues to adapt and grow. YESC Seattle serves over 30 schools in the Puget Sound, emboldening young people to be leaders and change makers in their community.
Each year, YMCA Earth Service Corps produces an Annual Report to capture the accomplishments of our youth leaders and volunteers. Teens organize and implement waste reduction and water reduction campaigns, undertake peer education campaigns, build vegetable gardens, protect natural areas in cities, and much more.
Our outdoor leadership trips will take teens to some of the most beautiful and natural places in the Pacific Northwest while inspiring them to be their most courageous and confident selves.
Nurturing innovation, fostering a sense of responsibility and building leadership skills, we ensure our future leaders will be active and engaged servant leaders.
Teen Global Programs are designed to develop international understanding, leadership skills, and cultural competency as well as provide service learning opportunities for teens ages 14-17.