Students from the Youth Engaged in Service (YES!) Program spent their Saturday packing and distributing care packages for the homeless in Jackson and Harrison counties.

The teens visited Our Daily Bread in Jackson County to distribute some of the packages.

YES! is a service- learning program based on defined learning objectives and a well-articulated curriculum.  It is administered through Jackson County Civic Action Committee, Inc. in Moss Point. During the final phase of the curriculum, the YES participants selected a community project to help the homeless in Jackson and Harrison counties.

After researching the project, which included interviewing the homeless, it was determined by the group, to collect and distribute care packets to the homeless community quarterly. The care packet consisted of toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, tissue, first aid supplies and snacks.

YES! is the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service’s (MCVS) service program for high school-aged youth. The YES! Program blends aspects of more common community service programs with formal leadership and citizenship training and a high degree of student autonomy.  The vision of the YES! Program states, “Youth in Mississippi will be civically engaged, socially aware citizens who strengthen their communities through service.”  Through service learning, the YES! program trains and support youth leaders to implement their community projects, practice good citizenship and engage others in volunteerism.

For more information on YES! and how to help out, contact Angela Ashford.