CBS Atlanta News Features YES Inc.

    ATLANTA, GA, February 05, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Youth Enhancement Services, Inc. (YES) recently received coverage by CBS Atlanta WGCL-TV after the organizations founder was a recent victim to a south Fulton County crime spree. In late January 2010 a news segment on the local CBS station got a closer look at the impact the non-profit has had over for nearly 20 years in the south Fulton community.

Youth Enhancement Services was founded to address the needs of a steadily increasing population of unskilled high school dropouts. The organization' s mission is to promote sustainable self-sufficiency for students and their families. The non-profit focuses on four main areas with students:

* Education
* Health
* Economics
* Housing

"YES has given me options I never had," says Julio Rodriguez, a current student in the program. "I want to better my future for me and my family, I really need a college education to please my goals." YES is helping Rodriguez achieve his goal of earning a college degree through their GED program.

Ironically, after devoting her entire life to giving kids in the community a better future, Lula M. Gilliam, the organization's founder recently became a victim of the very demographic she has been helping. Gilliam, who established YES nearly 20 years ago, was the latest hit on a spree of crimes believed to have been committed by adolescents in the south Fulton County community. The increasing crime rates have caused members of the south Fulton area to voice concerns about inadequate police surveillance and the need for workable solutions.

"What's most hurtful is that I have dedicated my entire life to saving youth," said Gilliam of the recent break-in to her home.
Gilliam wants to use this incident to bring attention to the need for increased parental involvement, high school dropout rates, and the need for comprehensive community based programs focused on youth development. Her mission is to combat the many system failures.

YES will celebrate its anniversary milestone in July with a 20th Anniversary YES Golf Tournament. The Atlanta non-profit will also host the YES 4th Annual Gala, which is themed "The Measure of our Success", and is organizing a Youth Summit in September 2010.

CBS Atlanta coverage on YES can be viewed using the following link http://www.cbsatlanta.com/video/22347390/

About Youth Enhancement Services

YES has been a pillar of the metro-Atlanta community, providing quality, accessible, and effective education and prevention services to at-risk youth for nearly 20 years. YES has positively impacted lives of more than 2,000 youth and their families. The organization strives to help high school students and high school dropouts that are at risk of giving up on themselves to discover and embrace a future with education, training, and a positive self-image.
For more information visit: www.YESGeorgia.org

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