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Youth Empowering Society was founded in order to bring financial stability to the community.
Youth Empowering Society (Y.E.S.) is a non-profit organization committed to creating financial stability and empowering the next generation of leaders in America’s urban communities. Our mission is to equip young adults with the tools they need to succeed—through financial education, life skills training, and meaningful community engagement.
Y.E.S. was founded by El Simpson, a passionate community leader with over 20 years of experience mentoring and guiding young adults. Seeing the ongoing challenges faced by youth in underserved neighborhoods, he recognized the urgent need for programs that foster leadership, self-sufficiency, and economic growth.
Youth Empowering Society's Goal Is To Educate Young Adults In The Areas Of Financial Stability And Community Involvement
Youth Empowering Society was founded in order to bring financial stability to the community. Y.E.S. is a non-profit organization that supports young adults within the urban areas of America by teaching them financial stability and community involvement.
Y.E.S. was founded by Mr. El Simpson. Mr. Simpson has been in the forefront of young adults within his community for over 20 years. He has always strived to instill a better way of uplifting young adults. With that in mind he, decided that there was a need for a better way of bringing new leaders back into our urban cities through Y.E.S., and Life Skills University, Inc. Through these two programs Y.E.S., gives disadvantaged youths an opportunity for a successful and productive life.
Youth Empowering Society's Goal Is To Educate Young Adults In The Areas Of Financial Stability And Community Involvement
Our goal is to educate young adults between the ages of 18 to 24 in the areas of financial stability and community involvement.
Youth Empowering Society Is A Non-Profit Organization That Supports Young Adults Within The Urban Areas Of America By Teaching Them Financial Stability and Community Involvement
What We Do At Youth Empowerment Society
Youth Empowering Society (Y.E.S.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering young adults (ages 18-24) from underserved communities through education, mentorship, and real-world skills training. Our programs are designed to break the cycle of poverty by fostering financial independence, personal responsibility, and strong community ties.
At the heart of our work is Life Skills University (LSU)—a comprehensive life-readiness program that equips participants with the tools they need to lead stable, successful, and purpose-driven lives. From financial literacy and career preparation to wellness and leadership development, we focus on building the whole person. Our approach is rooted in self-reliance, enterprise, and community uplift, inspired by the philosophies of Marcus Garvey and Booker T. Washington. We believe that with the right support, every young adult has the power to rise.
Where We Are Today
LSU is the destination—a full two-year capstone experience built to prepare young adults for lifelong success.
While we actively fundraise for a dedicated campus, we’re currently running classes and workshops in local libraries across the city. This bridge model allows us to serve our community now, while building toward a permanent home for LSU.
How We Make an Impact
Led by founder El Simpson, Y.E.S. was created to address the vocational, educational, and economic needs of young people facing limited opportunity. Through targeted interventions and culturally competent programming, we provide a foundation for:
- Financial literacy – Budgeting, credit, saving, and smart money habits
- Job and career readiness – Resume building, interview skills, and employment pathways
- Health and wellness – Physical, emotional, and mental well-being
- Leadership and civic engagement – Helping young adults find their voice and lead with impact
- Ongoing mentorship – Consistent, supportive guidance from trusted mentors
Our staff and volunteers come from the communities we serve, offering lived experience and real understanding. Our Board of Directors includes professionals, leaders, and change makers who are deeply committed to investing time and resources into the success of our youth.
At Youth Empowering Society, we believe every life matters. And with the right tools, support, and opportunity—every young person can thrive.
El Simpson
Youth Empowering Society
Founder and Director
El Simpson is a passionate youth advocate, mentor, and community leader who has been at the forefront of youth empowerment in urban communities for over 20 years. As the founder of Youth Empowering Society (Y.E.S.) and Life Skills University, Inc., El has dedicated his life to helping underserved young adults gain the tools, confidence, and resources they need to build successful, independent lives.
Driven by a strong belief in financial literacy, personal responsibility, and community involvement, El created these two impactful programs to empower young people between the ages of 18 and 24—especially those living in low-income, high-risk urban environments.
Through Y.E.S. and Life Skills University, he addresses the root causes of poverty and disconnection by providing life-changing educational programs focused on:
Financial stability
Budgeting and money management
Healthy living and nutrition
Job and career readiness
Community leadership
Personal development and self-discipline
El’s vision is not only to transform individual lives but to create a ripple effect of economic empowerment that uplifts families, revitalizes neighborhoods, and strengthens entire cities.
My life experience
Hello, I am the founder of Youth Empowering Society. What Y.E.S is a doorway into Life Skills University, where we take youths from the surrounding urban areas and show them basically everything regarding how to become an integral part of their community and society itself.
Those chosen for the program will be a mixture of young ladies and young men, we will house them, feed them, clothe them and basically, give them all the tools for financial freedom. During the program they will learn everything from shopping on a budget and then learning how to fix healthy meals for themselves. We will be working with the banks in the community to get everyone in the program a checking and savings account if they don’t already have one.
The banks will come in and do classes regarding financial understanding. The program is a doorway to building a better foundation for them and their families. This program is innovative in its concept, simply because we are only showing them old school values 1 student at a time. Cleveland, Ohio is the pilot program as Y.E.S. grows successfully; we will be able to take this model to other urban communities across the world. Because every place has an urban community. And Y.E.S. and Life Skills University will build an army of financial wizards, 1 student at a time!
Youth Empowering Society is an innovative, creative, and cutting edge 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to organize, primarily through the vehicles of educational programs and housing services, a positive, enriching environment contributing to an improved quality of life for our underserved communities. Our organization’s projects, implemented by a well-trained staff, offer many opportunities for the reduction of depravity and poverty through needed intervention.
Supporting the development of financial skills, healthful living, and stronger links to the community, Youth Empowering Society provides many individuals with a thorough foundation for future health and success. Individual empowerment and self-determination will always been strong components of the organization.
Directed by El Simpson, the organization was conceived and organized to address the vocational, scholastic, and economic needs of the young adult population, to counteract failure, and to assist in the successful transition to life in a positive environment. Our mission is accomplished by addressing the critical issues of education and personal responsibility through programs and services that exercise high standards of ethics, coupled with best practices in management and accountability.
Youth Empowering Society is dedicated to helping each person reach their individual potential by providing high quality, life-extending care and demonstrating passionate commitment to excellence. Y.E.S., believes that every life matters. Our activities will be overseen by a group of well-qualified individuals. Our diverse staff members have ties to the community, and thus possess the unique ability to relate to the target demographic.
Additionally, our Board of Directors is composed of a professional group of talented individuals who a r e dedicated t o committing their time and resources to building a stronger community.
Connected Brands One Purpose
The Life Skill University is being called to reimagine the future. As the only university where a renowned design school comes together with premier colleges, we are making learning more relevant and transformational. We are enriched by the wide range of experiences and perspectives of our students, faculty, staff and alumni.
Black Unity Foundation foster unity among all people and promote equality in every corner of the globe. We draw inspiration from the tireless efforts of visionaries like Marcus Garvey and Booker T. Washington, who dedicated their lives to advancing the cause of African Americans and championing the values of self-reliance and solidarity.
