"I feel so privileged for you to give Gabriella this opportunity to finally have a computer." - Denver Center for International Studies student Gabriella's mom Angelica.
On Sunday, March 16, 2008 the combined efforts of several community-based programs and individuals came to fruition as The YESS (Youth Empowerment Support Services) Institute staff gave away 30 refurbished computers to at-risk adolescents and teens involved in YESS youth empowerment programs. The YESS Institute, together with Boulder-based poet, Olatundji Akpo-Sani and Boulder's The Community Project, G and S Mountain Recyclers gave away the completely refurbished one-to-two year old Mac computers to program participants who did not have access to a computer at home. The YESS Institute, located in Denver, Colorado, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to increasing school attendance, raising grade-point-averages and the developing an overall sense of self worth for at-risk adolescents and teens at several middle and high schools in Denver County. YESS carries out this mission by implementing after-school programs with one-on-one peer mentoring. The Executive Director/Co-Founder of the YESS Institute, Carlo Kriekels commented, "I was so proud to be a part of this. Not only because these families were able to receive the computers, but also because we have created an agency where we are able to make this possible for our youth." For more info on the YESS Institute go to www.yessinstitute.org or call 303.951.3010.