Youth Empowerment Through Learning Leading and Serving Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE ORGANIZATION EMPOWERS YOUTH TO RISE AS ACTIVE, HEALTHY, AND PRODUCTIVE SERVANT-LEADERS WITHIN THIER COMMUNITIES.
- Income
- $1.4 million
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- 2.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 83%
- Employees
- 31
- Volunteers
- 167
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 19% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (5)
- $195,007 spent. THE YELLS AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM PROVIDED POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING LEADERSHIP, ART, RECREATION, CHARACTER BUILDING, SERVICE LEARNING, AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR 49 ELEMENTARY YOUTH DAILY. THE YELLS MODEL ENGAGES THE ENTIRE FAMILY THROUGH PARENT VOLUNTEERING AND PARTICIPATION IN EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY-BUILDING WORKSHOPS. OUR WORK FILLS LEARNING GAPS, BOLSTERS SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, SUPPORTS MENTAL HEALTH, PREPARES YOUTH FOR CAREER AND LIFE, AND BUILDS CONNECTIONS AND SOCIAL CAPITAL FOR FAMILIES. EIGHTY-FOUR PERCENT (41/49) OF YELLS AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM YOUTH WITH DATA IMPROVED BY ONE LETTER GRADE OR MORE OR MAINTAINED AN A OR B IN MATH OR LANGUAGE ARTS IN 2024-2025. ADDITIONALLY, 100% (49/49) WERE PROMOTED ON GRADE LEVEL. PARENTS NOTICED IMPROVEMENTS IN THEIR CHILDREN'S ACADEMIC SUCCESS AS WELL, WITH 85% REPORTING THAT YELLS IS HELPING THEIR CHILD COMPLETE AND TURN IN HOMEWORK ON TIME. YOUTH ALSO DEMONSTRATED GROWTH IN SELF-ESTEEM AND CONFIDENCE, WITH 85% OF YELLS AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM YOUTH REPORTING THAT THEY FEEL BETTER ABOUT THEMSELVES BECAUSE OF THE YELLS PROGRAM. FURTHERMORE, YOUTH DEVELOPED SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS, WITH 89% SAYING THAT YELLS HAS HELPED THEM FEEL LIKE A LEADER AND 92% INDICATING A GROWTH MINDSET AFTER THE YELLS PROGRAM. YELLS ALSO MADE A DIFFERENCE FOR PARENTS, WITH 94% REPORTING THAT THEIR FAMILY'S INVOLVEMENT IN YELLS HAS INCREASED THEIR SUCCESS AS A PARENT. THE YELLS AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM PROVIDED POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING LEADERSHIP, ART, RECREATION, CHARACTER BUILDING, SERVICE LEARNING, AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR 49 ELEMENTARY YOUTH DAILY. THE YELLS MODEL ENGAGES THE ENTIRE FAMILY THROUGH PARENT VOLUNTEERING AND PARTICIPATION IN EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY-BUILDING WORKSHOPS. OUR WORK FILLS LEARNING GAPS, BOLSTERS SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, SUPPORTS MENTAL HEALTH, PREPARES YOUTH FOR CAREER AND LIFE, AND BUILDS CONNECTIONS AND SOCIAL CAPITAL FOR FAMILIES. EIGHTY-FOUR PERCENT (41/49) OF YELLS AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM YOUTH WITH DATA IMPROVED BY ONE LETTER GRADE OR MORE OR MAINTAINED AN A OR B IN MATH OR LANGUAGE ARTS IN 2024-2025. ADDITIONALLY, 100% (49/49) WERE PROMOTED ON GRADE LEVEL. PARENTS NOTICED IMPROVEMENTS IN THEIR CHILDREN'S ACADEMIC SUCCESS AS WELL, WITH 85% REPORTING THAT YELLS IS HELPING THEIR CHILD COMPLETE AND TURN IN HOMEWORK ON TIME. YOUTH ALSO DEMONSTRATED GROWTH IN SELF-ESTEEM AND CONFIDENCE, WITH 85% OF YELLS AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM YOUTH REPORTING THAT THEY FEEL BETTER ABOUT THEMSELVES BECAUSE OF THE YELLS PROGRAM. FURTHERMORE, YOUTH DEVELOPED SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS, WITH 89% SAYING THAT YELLS HAS HELPED THEM FEEL LIKE A LEADER AND 92% INDICATING A GROWTH MINDSET AFTER THE YELLS PROGRAM. YELLS ALSO MADE A DIFFERENCE FOR PARENTS, WITH 94% REPORTING THAT THEIR FAMILY'S INVOLVEMENT IN YELLS HAS INCREASED THEIR SUCCESS AS A PARENT.
- $321,399 spent. YELLS MARKED ITS FIRST PROGRAM EXPANSION IN THE SPRING OF 2024, BRINGING ITS PROVEN PLACE-BASED AND ASSET-DRIVEN MODEL TO A NEW COMMUNITY THROUGH THE LAUNCH OF THE FAIR OAKS YELLS YOUTH PROGRAM, OFFERING THE FIRST-EVER AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM AT THE SCHOOL. YELLS GREW THIS PILOT OF 9 YOUTH TO SERVE 46 STUDENTS DAILY IN THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR. OUR STRONG PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SCHOOL AND TEACHERS, ALLOWED US TO PROVIDE TARGETED ACADEMIC INTERVENTIONS THAT RESULTED IN 95% OF OUR STUDENTS BEING PROMOTED ON GRADE LEVEL AND 85% IMPROVING BY A LETTER GRADE OR MAINTAINING AN A OR B IN MATH OR ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS. WE SAW INCREDIBLE GAINS AS YOUTH WERE ABLE TO DISCOVER THEIR SKILLS AND GROW THEIR LEADERSHIP AS THEY LEARNED AND APPLIED SKILLS TO UPLIFT THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. YOUTH DEVELOPED PROJECT MANAGEMENT SKILLS, PRACTICED PROJECTION AND POSITIVE BODY LANGUAGE, WROTE PROPOSAL LETTERS, LEARNED TO NETWORK, AND MORE AS THEY LED COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROJECTS INCLUDING SPREADING JOY THROUGH GIVING HANDMADE PAPER FLOWERS OUT IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD, LEADING A FREE LEMONADE STAND TO UNITE NEIGHBORS, AND ORGANIZING A FAMILY FESTIVAL. ONCE SHY STUDENTS BLOSSOMED INTO CONFIDENT COMMUNITY LEADERS. YOUTH SURVEYS REVEALED THAT 91% OF FAIR OAKS YELLS YOUTH REPORTED FEELING BETTER ABOUT THEMSELVES BECAUSE OF THE YELLS PROGRAM AND 88% SAID THEY MADE BETTER CHOICES BECAUSE OF YELLS. THE PROGRAM HAD INCREDIBLE IMPACT WITH PARENTS AS WELL, WITH 97% OF PARENTS REPORTING THAT THE YELLS PROGRAM HELPS THEM FEEL MORE CONNECTED TO THEIR COMMUNITY AND 92% LEARNING 3+ STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILD AT HOME. YELLS MARKED ITS FIRST PROGRAM EXPANSION IN THE SPRING OF 2024, BRINGING ITS PROVEN PLACE-BASED AND ASSET-DRIVEN MODEL TO A NEW COMMUNITY THROUGH THE LAUNCH OF THE FAIR OAKS YELLS YOUTH PROGRAM, OFFERING THE FIRST-EVER AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM AT THE SCHOOL. YELLS GREW THIS PILOT OF 9 YOUTH TO SERVE 46 STUDENTS DAILY IN THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR. OUR STRONG PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SCHOOL AND TEACHERS, ALLOWED US TO PROVIDE TARGETED ACADEMIC INTERVENTIONS THAT RESULTED IN 95% OF OUR STUDENTS BEING PROMOTED ON GRADE LEVEL AND 85% IMPROVING BY A LETTER GRADE OR MAINTAINING AN A OR B IN MATH OR ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS. WE SAW INCREDIBLE GAINS AS YOUTH WERE ABLE TO DISCOVER THEIR SKILLS AND GROW THEIR LEADERSHIP AS THEY LEARNED AND APPLIED SKILLS TO UPLIFT THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. YOUTH DEVELOPED PROJECT MANAGEMENT SKILLS, PRACTICED PROJECTION AND POSITIVE BODY LANGUAGE, WROTE PROPOSAL LETTERS, LEARNED TO NETWORK, AND MORE AS THEY LED COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROJECTS INCLUDING SPREADING JOY THROUGH GIVING HANDMADE PAPER FLOWERS OUT IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD, LEADING A FREE LEMONADE STAND TO UNITE NEIGHBORS, AND ORGANIZING A FAMILY FESTIVAL. ONCE SHY STUDENTS BLOSSOMED INTO CONFIDENT COMMUNITY LEADERS. YOUTH SURVEYS REVEALED THAT 91% OF FAIR OAKS YELLS YOUTH REPORTED FEELING BETTER ABOUT THEMSELVES BECAUSE OF THE YELLS PROGRAM AND 88% SAID THEY MADE BETTER CHOICES BECAUSE OF YELLS. THE PROGRAM HAD INCREDIBLE IMPACT WITH PARENTS AS WELL, WITH 97% OF PARENTS REPORTING THAT THE YELLS PROGRAM HELPS THEM FEEL MORE CONNECTED TO THEIR COMMUNITY AND 92% LEARNING 3+ STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILD AT HOME.
- $169,651 spent. IN 2024-2025, THE YELLS COMMUNITY ACTION CAF EQUIPPED 18 TEENS WITH REAL- WORLD BUSINESS AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS AS THEY MANAGED THEIR CAF AS A HUB FOR COMMUNITY-WIDE EDUCATION, ENGAGEMENT, AND EMPOWERMENT. YELLS TEENS HAVE BECOME CAREER-READY, DEVELOPING RESUMES AND APPLYING BUSINESS AND LIFE SKILLS AS THEY ENGAGED NEIGHBORS IN YOUTH-LED EVENTS AND COMMUNITY- BUILDING. IN 2024-2025 YELLS TEENS NETWORKED WITH LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS ABOUT THE PRIORITIES FOR THEIR COMMUNITY DURING A "COMMUNITY CARAVAN" EVENT, HOSTED AND ASKED THOUGHTFUL QUESTIONS DURING A POLICE TOWN HALL, LED A TRUNK OR TREAT FAMILY EVENT, AND PLANNED A "MOVIES UNDER THE STARS" OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT FOR THE COMMUNITY. THE YOUTH'S PROJECTS STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY BONDS, FOSTER A SENSE OF NEIGHBORHOOD PRIDE, AND LEAD TO LONG-TERM CHANGE AS YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES BELIEVE IN THEIR ABILITY TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES, DEVELOP SUPPORT NETWORKS, ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN SCHOOL, GRADUATE READY FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER, OPEN THE DOOR TO ECONOMIC MOBILITY, AND CONTINUE TO REINVEST IN THEIR COMMUNITY. THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH COBBWORKS, WE PROVIDED 11 TEENS AND 8 COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH AUTHENTIC JOB TRAINING THROUGH A PAID WORK EXPERIENCE AT YELLS. TEENS EXCELLED ACADEMICALLY AS WELL. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT (18/18) OF TEENS ENROLLED DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR WERE PROMOTED ON GRADE LEVEL, AND 100% OF YELLS SENIORS GRADUATED. ALL THIS RESULTED IN 94% OF TEENS REPORTING THAT THEY BELIEVED THEY HAD MADE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEIR COMMUNITY AND 100% REPORTING THAT THEY HAD GAINED 3+ SOFT SKILLS THROUGH YELLS. ADDITIONALLY, PARENTS SAW THE IMPACT, WITH 82% SAYING YELLS IS HELPING THEIR TEEN TO SHOW MORE CARE AND KINDNESS AND 100% REPORTING THAT THEY WERE SATISFIED OR VERY SATISFIED WITH THE YELLS PROGRAM. IN 2024-2025, THE YELLS COMMUNITY ACTION CAF EQUIPPED 18 TEENS WITH REAL- WORLD BUSINESS AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS AS THEY MANAGED THEIR CAF AS A HUB FOR COMMUNITY-WIDE EDUCATION, ENGAGEMENT, AND EMPOWERMENT. YELLS TEENS HAVE BECOME CAREER-READY, DEVELOPING RESUMES AND APPLYING BUSINESS AND LIFE SKILLS AS THEY ENGAGED NEIGHBORS IN YOUTH-LED EVENTS AND COMMUNITY- BUILDING. IN 2024-2025 YELLS TEENS NETWORKED WITH LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS ABOUT THE PRIORITIES FOR THEIR COMMUNITY DURING A "COMMUNITY CARAVAN" EVENT, HOSTED AND ASKED THOUGHTFUL QUESTIONS DURING A POLICE TOWN HALL, LED A TRUNK OR TREAT FAMILY EVENT, AND PLANNED A "MOVIES UNDER THE STARS" OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT FOR THE COMMUNITY. THE YOUTH'S PROJECTS STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY BONDS, FOSTER A SENSE OF NEIGHBORHOOD PRIDE, AND LEAD TO LONG-TERM CHANGE AS YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES BELIEVE IN THEIR ABILITY TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES, DEVELOP SUPPORT NETWORKS, ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN SCHOOL, GRADUATE READY FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER, OPEN THE DOOR TO ECONOMIC MOBILITY, AND CONTINUE TO REINVEST IN THEIR COMMUNITY. THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH COBBWORKS, WE PROVIDED 11 TEENS AND 8 COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH AUTHENTIC JOB TRAINING THROUGH A PAID WORK EXPERIENCE AT YELLS. TEENS EXCELLED ACADEMICALLY AS WELL. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT (18/18) OF TEENS ENROLLED DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR WERE PROMOTED ON GRADE LEVEL, AND 100% OF YELLS SENIORS GRADUATED. ALL THIS RESULTED IN 94% OF TEENS REPORTING THAT THEY BELIEVED THEY HAD MADE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEIR COMMUNITY AND 100% REPORTING THAT THEY HAD GAINED 3+ SOFT SKILLS THROUGH YELLS. ADDITIONALLY, PARENTS SAW THE IMPACT, WITH 82% SAYING YELLS IS HELPING THEIR TEEN TO SHOW MORE CARE AND KINDNESS AND 100% REPORTING THAT THEY WERE SATISFIED OR VERY SATISFIED WITH THE YELLS PROGRAM.
- $479,045 spent. YELLS OFFERED A 45 HOUR/WEEK, FULLY-DAY YELLS SUMMER CAMP FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL YOUTH. YOUTH ENJOYED AN ENGAGING AND EDUCATIONAL SUMMER WITH DAILY AFFIRMATIONS, STEAM ACTIVITIES, BOOK CLUBS, SPORTS, TEAM CHALLENGES, AND CHOICE CLUBS. WE KEPT YOUTH MOVING AND LEARNING THROUGH FIELDTRIPS TO ADVENTURE AIR, BARNES & NOBLE, AND A SKATING RINK. YELLS PARENTS LEARNED STRATEGIES FOR PROMOTING LITERACY AT HOME THROUGH OUR "BOOKS AND BREAKFAST" WORKSHOPS FOR YOUTH AND PARENTS HOSTED EACH MORNING BEFORE SUMMER CAMP. TEENS ALSO ENJOYED AN ACTION-PACKED SUMMER WITH FIELDTIPS, LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS, AND PAID WORK EXPERIENCE AS JUNIOR STAFF IN THE YOUTH PROGRAM. EXPENSES NOTED IN THIS CATEGORY INCLUDED IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS USED TO SUPPORT ALL YELLS PROGRAMS AND IMPACT.
- YELLS OFFERED A 45 HOUR/WEEK, FULLY-DAY YELLS SUMMER CAMP FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL YOUTH. YOUTH ENJOYED AN ENGAGING AND EDUCATIONAL SUMMER WITH DAILY AFFIRMATIONS, STEAM ACTIVITIES, BOOK CLUBS, SPORTS, TEAM CHALLENGES, AND CHOICE CLUBS. WE KEPT YOUTH MOVING AND LEARNING THROUGH FIELDTRIPS TO ADVENTURE AIR, BARNES & NOBLE, AND A SKATING RINK. YELLS PARENTS LEARNED STRATEGIES FOR PROMOTING LITERACY AT HOME THROUGH OUR "BOOKS AND BREAKFAST" WORKSHOPS FOR YOUTH AND PARENTS HOSTED EACH MORNING BEFORE SUMMER CAMP. TEENS ALSO ENJOYED AN ACTION-PACKED SUMMER WITH FIELDTIPS, LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS, AND PAID WORK EXPERIENCE AS JUNIOR STAFF IN THE YOUTH PROGRAM. EXPENSES NOTED IN THIS CATEGORY INCLUDED IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS USED TO SUPPORT ALL YELLS PROGRAMS AND IMPACT.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2011.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.