Testimonials

Below you will find stories about how Y.E.S. has impacted people’s lives. We invite you to enjoy the stories and to email us your own so we can add them to this page. Thank you!

"We took a struggling program and created something beautiful that will remain in our volunteers’ hearts and those kids’ minds forever"

In the Fall of 1999, Environmental Education’s Garden Club consisted of Friday afternoons at Pacific Union Elementary school doing unstructured “babysitting”. With the persistence, time (2 hours per week in meetings alone), sweat and energy of dedicated volunteers we helped a group of 20 at-risk youth at the No. Humboldt Community Day school build their fantastic raised-bed garden.

After a while, even “gangsta” types were showing each other how to build trellises from willow reeds and boasting that their snow peas were growing the best.

We took a struggling program and created something beautiful that will remain in our volunteers’ hearts and those kids’ minds forever.

Christie Cook
Environmental Ed.
Garden Club1999-2000

"Y.E.S. has really changed my life in little ways and in major ways"

Y.E.S. has really changed my life in little ways and in major ways. I have focused my career goals and made wonderful relationships. I have learned about myself and my ability to work with kids, my peers and community contacts. Y.E.S. is a wonderful place, I can’t imagine my life without it and I will miss it very much.

Nichole Hillyer
Hand in Hand 2002-2004
PC 2004-2005

"What else could someone want"

I love Y.E.S. house because it is a great group of people, who are an excellent example for the community and also, get together every so often to eat and act goofy. What else could someone want.

"I will always look back at my experiences with joy in my heart and good wishes for everyone I’ve met there"

Well I began here and now as I find myself preparing to leave I don’t know what I’ll do with out the warm friendly family support-like environment that the Y.E.S. house provides. Everyone here has such true concern for one another and I will truly feel an absence in my heart as I go. But I know my time here has changed me and I will always look back at my experiences with joy in my heart and good wishes for everyone I’ve met there.

Jeanette
aka Purple

"Time to play!!!"

Homelessness Network Rules-Our kids love us for getting up at 9 am on Saturday mornings. I love to see their expression on their faces when they see the yummy snack Carol has prepared. Apples, Gram Crackers, Oranges Oh Boy!

Time to play!!!

"Hmm…what’s a cool story to tell?"

Hmm…what’s a cool story to tell? As a new director, I was super nervous about everything. Then I went to the Fall Retreat in August. I was nervous at first cuz I didn’t know anyone. But everyone made me feel so comfortable and welcome, after awhile I didn’t feel so self conscious. All of the directors are so awesome. I have never felt like I’ve had so much support in my life. Everyone has been super helpful. You are all awesome! I love you guys!

"This experience made me think"

On Friday, I was driving the SDRC (Student Disability Resource Center) bus. I was actually doing a crossword puzzle with the window down. A Mexican man in his fifties asked me in English if I knew any Spanish. I told him yes. We chatted for a minute and he asked me where he could get some classes to learn English. How convenient! That’s what we do here at Puentes, so I guess I was the right guy to ask. I was so glad to be able to point him in the right direction.

This experience made me think. How important is this service? Look at what it can do. The more people who are connected with services, the better our community lives are. Each new informed service giver, cuts down on the degrees of separation between those who give service and those who want service.

"I never thought my life would go in this direction . . .and what a good direction it is"

I never thought my life would go in this direction . . .and what a good direction it is. Three years ago, I didn’t know where I would be…I still don’t but Y.E.S. has been a great tool in my life. Volunteering is awesome, not only to the people we serve, but for ourselves. HSU has been a mystery to me, that is until I joined Y.E.S. Now I can’t see my experience at HSU without Y.E.S.