Empower Young People

Our mission: YMCA Earth Service Corps (YESC) envisions a world where all youth recognize their power and are integral and active environmental leaders in their communities.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work is essential in cultivating a responsive, accountable, and more socially and environmentally just organization. We are pleased to announce that the YMCA Earth Service Corps (YESC) Advisory Board, after an extensive process drafting and incorporating input from YESC’s youth stakeholders, has developed a YESC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Vision Statement. This statement will guide and inform all aspects of our program as we continue to strengthen our culture of equity and empower young people as environmental leaders.

Vision Statement

In YESC, we support young people as they strengthen their sense of agency, increase their confidence, and expand their skill set to address the local and global issues of our time. In doing so, we collectively reinforce the connections between humans, the environment, and our communities.

We envision a society in which young people understand their role and impact in their environments and are included in decision-making processes—because they are impacted by the outcomes. We encourage young people to advocate for themselves and their communities in collaboration and dialogue with others of different backgrounds. With young people at the table, we broaden the scope of environmentalism to include social and environmental justice, human interconnectedness with ecosystems, and cultural values around nature.

Washington Service Corps and AmeriCorps

Since its founding, YMCA Earth Service Corps has partnered with Washington Service Corps and AmeriCorps to provide service opportunities to young adults ages 21 and older. These young adults serve as school year program instructors with 5-6 of our YESC green teams, mentoring youth as they develop leadership skills and complete environmental service projects. If you’re interested in learning more about AmeriCorps with YESC, contact us at yesc@seattleymca.org.

YESC History

In 1989, a group of youth from Garfield High School in Central Seattle wanted YMCA support for their tree planting event, Earth Day in May. With help from Bill Sieverling, Nan Little, and Jennifer Parker, the planting event blossomed into a collaborative, youth-led program to address growing environmental concerns.

YESC experienced explosive growth during the first year. The goal was to involve 100 students from five schools. On November 8, 1989, YMCA of Greater Seattle hosted the program’s first official event: an Environmental Symposium at the University of Washington. 270 youth from 13 Seattle-area high schools attended. Word spread, and soon teachers and parents literally demanded to be included in the program.

Over the next year, youth-led a series of Experience Days – exploring culture, science, outdoor recreation, and hands-on environmental action – launching classic YESC components like the Leadership Retreat, Student Advisory Council, and habitat restoration. Youth also hosted students from Thailand, Japan, and India for a two-week cultural exchange.

In May 1990, youth, teachers, and YMCA staff presented the Earth Service Corps model at the Youth Environmental Action Conference in Washington D.C. Grants enabled YESC to expand nationally throughout the 90s, establishing six regional resource centers based in Boston, New York, Nashville, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Seattle - at one point serving over 20 cities.

In the early 2000s, YESC Seattle introduced the Eco-Retreat - a weekend of intensive leadership training and outdoor activities. In 2005, YESC organized a week-long service trip to Costa Rica. 2009 saw the first Environmental Leaders Summit, celebrating YESC’s 20th anniversary.

Three decades later, YESC continues to adapt and grow. YESC Seattle serves over 30 schools in the Puget Sound, emboldening young people to be leaders and change makers in their community.