Muskegon's YEP Program - Spring Break College Visits in New York City

In Muskegon, the amount of good that goes on is huge.  At Community enCompass they work to transform neighborhoods from the inside out and housed inside Community enCompass is a program we've featured before here on Positively Muskegon called YEP.  YEP is an acronym for Youth Empowerment Program and at the front of that program is Charlotte Johnson.  Charlotte was the 2014 recipient of the citizen of the year in the City of Muskegon and you'll see why soon.


Let's start with the mission statement of the YEP Program.  "Empowering Youth to become leaders now, while forever changing their futures as they become pillars of society."  That's a tall order.  It's a real mission and it's where Charlotte works to shape the lives of young people.  It's that work that led to her award.  Young people 15-20 are challenged to volunteer,  develop life skills, set goals, develop character, learn the importance of community service and most of all, the importance of mentor-ship to those coming along behind them.  They work to build a human safety net and develop young people and community.

Learn More about the Soul Food Dinner on FB

A large part of empowering youth, yes..it's life experience, some of which has to come from beyond our immediate area here in Muskegon.  Charlotte takes the kids on college tours.  They get the chance to see the world beyond our walls here in town and they are heading to the biggest spot there is, New York City.  Spring break week will be spent with some learning experiences for our young people.  They will be seeing some famous schools, some sincerely historic points and see just how big this world is compared to what we know here at home. 

It's going to take some money for this adventure, and there are a variety of ways you can help.  You can sponsor a trip.  There will also be a delicious soul food dinner Friday March 30th at Bethany Church on Terrace and if you have a garage full of returnable cans, they will be more than happy to take them off your hands, get them recycled and put the money to good use to help fund the trip. 

I was able to catch up with Charlotte at Community enCompass to talk a little about the program and the trip, take a listen.

We're so proud of our relationship with Community enCompass and the YEP Program.  Charlotte puts her heart and soul into these wonderful young people and in turn, they put their hear and soul back into Muskegon.  These are the kind of future people we believe in and want to see succeed and we'll keep telling their story as long as it takes.  Believe in the good that is coming out of our young people right here in Muskegon.  It's ample and it's real.  Believe in Charlotte who won't give up on them and helps them see past the noise in life to know that their future is limitless.  If you'd like to help the trip out, you'll find a link by clicking on the image below.