El Simpson
Founder and Director
Youth Empowering Society
Hello, my name is El Simpson, and I’m the founder of Youth Empowering Society (Y.E.S.) — a purpose-driven nonprofit committed to uplifting young men and women from underserved urban communities through real-world education, mentorship, and opportunity.
Y.E.S. is more than just a youth program — it’s a doorway to Life Skills University, a comprehensive initiative designed to prepare the next generation of leaders by teaching them how to live independently, manage their finances, and become active contributors to their communities.
Each year, we select 50 young adults — a mix of young men and women between the ages of 18 and 24 — from surrounding urban neighborhoods. Many come from challenging environments, but all are ready to change the direction of their lives. Once they’re accepted into the program, we provide housing, clothing, meals, mentorship, and full support for four years. But more importantly, we provide tools for financial freedom and personal success.
At Life Skills University, students learn how to:
- Budget wisely and spend intentionally
- Cook healthy meals and plan affordable diets
- Open and manage checking and savings accounts
- Understand credit, loans, and long-term financial planning
- Contribute meaningfully to their neighborhoods
We partner with local banks and financial institutions to bring real-world financial literacy into the classroom. Students attend workshops on banking, saving, credit building, and entrepreneurship — all tailored to empower them economically and socially.
Even their meals are a lesson in independence: all students help prepare their own breakfasts, lunches, and dinners in our on-site cafeteria. Every part of this program is designed to teach discipline, accountability, and pride in daily living. Cleveland, Ohio is where we’ve planted the seed — it’s our pilot city, but far from our final stop. Our vision is to expand this model nationwide and eventually bring Life Skills University to urban communities across the globe. Why? Because every city has youth who need support as they grow and a system that works for them.
