Our core programs
GED & Academic Tutorials
YES provides community-based GED tutorial programs for at-risk youth and high school dropouts. Our program participants are primarily between ages 16-23. We practice individualized assessment and lesson planning. All GED classes provide a specialized, interactive and productive classroom environment by maintaining a student to teacher ratio of no more than 1:7. Each program participant is given a curriculum guide detailing their 3, 6, or 9 month graduation plan. In addition to the site schedule below, we host office hours for additional academic assistance on Thursdays from 2 pm - 5 pm and Fridays from 11 am - 2 pm by appointment only.
YES Empowerment
All program participants have the opportunity to participate in cultural enrichment activities. There is at least one activity per month for the boys’ group, girls’ group, and YES site specific groups. These activities include lectures, public speaking seminars, art workshops, museum tours, guest speakers and “apprentice for a day” opportunities. Cultural enrichment activities also include community outreach initiatives such as voter registration drives, community beautification, and volunteerism.
Another component of the Empowerment program is mentoring. YES partners with business and community leaders to provide mentorship opportunities for our clients. More than 80% of our program participants do not identify a positive role model as someone that is tangible and accessible in their day-to-day lives. We match students with mentors based on career goals, background, and other points of interest.
Post Secondary Enrollment
Post-secondary enrollment (PSE) is a very important program for YES graduates. In today’s global economy and challenging economic times, we must encourage and facilitate our students pursuit of more than a GED. YES partners with Atlanta colleges and universities to assist graduates with college tours, college registration, and career planning. To help students map out an individualized post-secondary enrollment plan, YES has office hours on Tuesdays from 9 am - 11 am by appointment only.
Job Training & Placement
Any YES GED graduate with greater than 90% class/activity attendance who enrolls into a post-secondary institution, is eligible to participate in our job training and placement program. YES provides resume building, interview skills, and on the job behavior seminars. Once a program participant has been placed, we monitor their workplace etiquette, leadership, and progress in order to promote upward mobility in the workplace.
