Youth Empowerment Success Services
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
TO PROVIDE YOUTH AGES 18-24 IN THE METRO ATLANTA AREA WITH AFFORDABLE AND STABLE HOUSING, PRACTICAL LIFE SKILLS AND AN IDENTIFIABLE SUPPORT SYSTEM TO PROPEL THEM TOWARD THEIR FUTURE GOALS.
- Income
- $3.0 million
- Spending
- $3.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- -3.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 56%
- Employees
- 34
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $205,102, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 30 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 164% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 December 31, 2024, 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 (3)
- $1.0 million spent. INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM (ILP) YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SUCCESS SERVICES (YESS) YOUTH QUEST INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM (ILP) IS A THREETIER PROGRESSIVE INITIATIVE THAT STANDS AT THE FOREFRONT OF SUPPORTING YOUNG INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR JOURNEY TOWARD SUSTAINABLE INDEPENDENCE. OUR PROGRAM IS METICULOUSLY STRUCTURED, OFFERING A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO NURTURING THE YOUTH AND EQUIPPING THEM WITH THE NECESSARY SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO THRIVE IN THEIR PURSUIT OF SELFSUFFICIENCY. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2017, YESS HAS PROVIDED SCATTEREDSITE SUPPORTIVE INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES, STEADILY EXPANDING ITS REACH. YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SUCCESS SERVICES (YESS) CONTINUES TO ACHIEVE SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THE YOUNG ADULTS UNDER THEIR CARE. AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS, 57% TRANSITIONED INTO FULLTIME EMPLOYMENT, EQUIPPING THEM WITH ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND OPENING DOORS TO LONGTERM FINANCIAL STABILITY. ADDITIONALLY, HALF OF THE YOUTH OBTAINED THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS WHILE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM (ILP), CREATING A PATHWAY FOR FURTHER EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES. NOTABLY, 14% OF YOUNG ADULTS SUCCESSFULLY SECURED A LEASE UNDER THEIR NAMES, DEMONSTRATING THEIR PROGRESS IN ACQUIRING INDEPENDENT LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND FOSTERING SELFSUFFICIENCY.THESE ACHIEVEMENTS SERVE AS A TESTAMENT TO THE POSITIVE INFLUENCE OF YESS IN EMPOWERING AND GUIDING YOUNG ADULTS TOWARD A FUTURE MARKED BY SUCCESS AND INDEPENDENCE. IN 2023, YESS LAUNCHED A NEW SUBSET PROGRAM INITIATIVE CALLED YESS BRIDGECONNECT. THE YESS BRIDGECONNECTPROGRAM SUPPORTS YOUNG ADULTS EXITING GEORGIA'S FOSTER CARE SYSTEM BY BRIDGING GAPS INTHEIR TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENT LIVING. RECOGNIZING THAT MANY YOUTH TURN 18 WITHOUT A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR GED AND MAY LACK SUFFICIENT READINESS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING PLACEMENTS, YESS BRIDGECONNECT OFFERS INDIVIDUALIZED, INTENSIVE SUPPORT. DESIGNED FOR YOUTH WHO HAVE OUTGROWN FOSTER OR GROUP HOME SETTINGS BUT ARE NOT YET PREPARED FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM (ILP) PLACEMENTS, THE PROGRAM ASSIGNS EACH PARTICIPANT A LIFE SUPPORT TEAM, INCLUDING A LIFE COACH AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PEER ADVOCATE. TOGETHER, THEY WORK TO BUILD THE SKILLS AND CONNECT YOUTH WITH RESOURCES NEEDED FOR SUCCESSFUL, INDEPENDENT LIVES BEYOND DFCS/ILP SUPPORT. IN ITS FIRST COHORT, BEGINNING IN DECEMBER 2023, YESS BRIDGE-CONNECTSERVED SEVEN YOUTH. AMONG THESE PARTICIPANTS, THREE YOUNG ADULTS COMPLETED HIGH SCHOOL, THREE ARE ENROLLED IN GED CLASSES AND HAVE FINISHED THEIR COURSEWORK IN JULY 2024, AND ONE COMPLETED HIGH SCHOOL IN OCTOBER 2024.
- $942,306 spent. REBOUND SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM: THE REBOUND SUPPORT SERVICES (RSS) PROGRAMS EXTEND ACOMPREHENSIVE ARRAY OF SERVICES TAILORED TO ASSIST YOUNG INDIVIDUALS AGED 18 TO 24 GRAPPLING WITH DIVERSE LIFE CHALLENGES. TARGETING THREE SPECIFIC GROUPS, THE PROGRAM ADDRESSES THE NEEDS OF YOUTH IN TRANSITION FROM CARE, EPISODICALLY HOMELESS YOUNG ADULTS, AND THOSE CLASSIFIED AS HUDDEFINED HOMELESS YOUTH. RSS OFFERS A ROBUST FRAMEWORK FOR YOUTH TRANSITIONING FROM CARE TO CASE MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL AID. CASE MANAGEMENT ENTAILS CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH YOUNG ADULTS NAVIGATING THE SHIFT FROM INDEPENDENT LIVING PLACEMENTS, CRAFTING INDIVIDUALIZED PLANS TO ADDRESS THEIR SPECIFIC TRANSITIONAL NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS. OUR ADEPT LIFE COACH TEAM PROVIDES INVALUABLE GUIDANCE, UNWAVERING SUPPORT, AND ACCESS TO VITAL RESOURCES, FACILITATING A SEAMLESS TRANSITION FROM FOSTER CARE OR OTHER CARE SYSTEMS TO INDEPENDENT LIVING. FINANCIAL AID IS AVAILABLE TO COVER PIVOTAL EXPENSES LIKE HOUSING, EDUCATION, AND OTHER ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS. IN 2023, YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SUCCESS SERVICES RECEIVED AN ADDITIONAL PRESTIGIOUS TWO YEAR HUD YOUTH HOMELESS DEMONSTRATION PROJECT (YHDP) JOINT RAPID REHOUSING/TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING HOMELESS YOUTH IN ATLANTA. NOTABLY, YESS IS THE PIONEERING YHDP RECIPIENT IN GEORGIA. UNDER THIS PROGRAM, TEN YOUNG ADULTS BENEFIT FROM THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING INITIATIVE ANNUALLY, ENSURING A SECURE AND STABLE HOUSING ENVIRONMENT FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING OR AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS. ADDITIONALLY, 20 YOUNG ADULTS RECEIVE ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE RAPID REHOUSING SERVICES, WHICH PROVIDE MEDIUMTERM RENTAL AID AND COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, INCLUDING HOUSING STABILITY CASE MANAGEMENT. THESE SERVICES ARE EXTENDED TO INDIVIDUALS AND PARENTS OF YOUNG ADULTS AGED BETWEEN 18 AND 24. YESS ALSO LAUNCHED ITS DIRECT CASH TRANSFER AS PREVENTION PROGRAM. THE DIRECT CASH TRANSFER AS PREVENTION (DCTP)PROGRAM ALIGNS WITH YESS'S MISSION TO EMPOWER HOMELESS YOUTH THROUGH AUTONOMY, DIGNITY, AND INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT. BY PROVIDING DIRECT CASH ASSISTANCE, DCTP ENABLES HOMELESS YOUTH TO ADDRESS THEIR UNIQUE NEEDSWHETHER SECURING HOUSING, PURSUING EDUCATION, OR ACCESSING HEALTHCAREFOSTERING RESPONSIBILITY AND RESILIENCE. UNLIKE TRADITIONAL WELFARE PROGRAMS, DCTPOFFERS FLEXIBILITY, ALLOWING YOUTH TO RESPOND TO URGENT CHALLENGES IMMEDIATELY AND REDUCING THE LIKELIHOOD OF CRISES. THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL SHELTERS, COMMUNITY CENTERS, AND SERVICE PROVIDERS, YESS ENSURES EXTENSIVE OUTREACH AND ADDITIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR DCTPPARTICIPANTS. YESS'S EXPERIENCE WITH SIMILAR PROGRAMS, SUCH AS THE CHAFEE PANDEMIC RELIEF FUND, HAS PREPARED THE ORGANIZATION TO MANAGE CASH TRANSFER INITIATIVES EFFECTIVELY. THIS PROGRAM SUPPORTS PERSONAL GROWTH AND STABILITY FOR YOUTH, STRENGTHENS COMMUNITIES, AND LESSENS RELIANCE ON SOCIAL SERVICES. YESS ANTICIPATES SERVING 50 YOUNG ADULTS, EQUIPPING THEM WITH RESOURCES FOR A BRIGHTER, SELFSUFFICIENT FUTURE.
- $958,398 spent. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING & RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM: YESS IS THE FIRST ORGANIZATION IN GEORGIA TO BEAWARDED THE JOINT TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND RAPID REHOUSING (TH/RRH) GRANT THROUGH THE CITY OF ATLANTA, AND IT HAS ALSO RECEIVED A JOINT TH/RRH AWARD FOR GWINNETT AND CLAYTON COUNTIES THROUGH THEIR BALANCE OF STATE. THE RAPID REHOUSING SEGMENT OF THIS PROGRAM HAS PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN EXPEDITING THE TRANSITION OF HOMELESS YOUTH INTO PERMANENT HOUSING. THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE, YESS HAS PROVIDED NEARLY 100 YOUNG ADULTS WITH FINANCIAL AID, CASE MANAGEMENT, AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO SECURE STABLE HOUSING MORE QUICKLY, PREVENTING PROLONGED HOMELESSNESS AND ENHANCING THEIR OVERALL WELLBEING. HIS COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH IS A VITAL INTERVENTION THAT PROMOTES STABILITY AND INDEPENDENCE FOR YOUNG ADULTS ACROSS MULTIPLE REGIONS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.
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 January 2016.
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.