PROJECT YES INC DBA YES Institute
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Mission Statement
The mission of YES Institute is to prevent suicide and ensure the healthy development of all youth through powerful communication and education on gender and orientation. What We Do: We provide powerful communication and education on gender and orientation. How We Work: We initiate dialogue on the topics of gender and orientation for anyone and everyone who works with, cares for, or serves young people and their families. We deliver groundbreaking education for youth and their families, as well as schools, universities, therapists, healthcare providers, religious communities, and systems of care. We connect with communities across South Florida, the US and Latin America through videoconferencing and travel. Our work is also available in Spanish, Haitian Creole, and American Sign languages.
About This Cause
YES Institute is a recognized leader in providing powerful, action-oriented dialogue and quality research-based education on gender and orientation. YES Institute began in Miami, as a community-based initiative in 1996 to address the high rates of teenage suicide impacting young people who identified or were labeled as gay. In 2003, YES Institute added cutting-edge education courses on gender. Each year, we reach over 6,000 individuals and conduct over 175 presentations and courses for a wide variety of communities – parents and students, nurses and medical personnel, school teachers and administrators, counselors and psychologists, business executives, police departments, and other non-profits and human service organizations. Our work is a nationally recognized model for providers within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMHSA) / U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and our continuing education curriculum is accredited by the Florida Department of Health and the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the 4th largest school district in the U.S. Courses and presentations are available in English, Spanish and now Creole. Our programs parallel research-based intervention models supported by community psychology and social change scholars. YES Institute is based in Miami, Florida, with a satellite office now open in Weston, FL (Broward County). In our experience, lack of education is the primary reason youth face rejection and harassment on the basis of gender and orientation. Impact: Gay youth rejected by parents are 8 times more likely to commit suicide 31% of transgender people attempt suicide 60% of transgender people are violently attacked YES Institute addresses the root causes of discrimination, harassment and suicide by providing education on gender and orientation to youth and people who work with youth. Once misinformation and fears have been addressed and every viewpoint included, communities begin generating solutions and actions to ensure the healthy development of all youth. 98% of participants rate YES education as “Worthwhile” and “Extremely Worthwhile.” We provide communication and education on gender and orientation to community members - including parents, teachers, mental health and medical professionals, and youth- using YES Institute’s research-based curriculum and powerful model of communication. We guide medical, educational, and professional communities in designing and implementing action plans that support the well-being of youth who identify as gay or transgender. We provide educators with effective communication tools, local referrals, and research-based education on gender and orientation to address student crisis situations and create win/win solutions. “This course has changed [me.] I was a different person in my classroom today and it felt GREAT!” -Volusia Public School Teacher Address fears and misinformation among medical professionals, medical personnel, and mental health providers that lead to rejection and unsafe environments for patients and employees who identify as gay or transgender. “I really didn’t know what to say when clients or families came to me because their child was gay or transgender. Now I have a way to begin the conversation and a great community partner for education.” - Mental health professional Create an open space for parents and youth to share their points of view about gender and orientation, getting past fears that divide families and endanger youth. “I felt so alone when my daughter came out as lesbian. This course is the first step in bringing my family together again. Thank you for this incredible gift.” - Parent Equip youth with confidence and tools to express themselves authentically and strengthen relationships in their schools, families, and communities “I almost ended up killing somebody once because they kept bullying me and touching me. Now I’ve learned to use my voice when I’m afraid.”- Middle school student from Honey Shine Our work provides community members the opportunity to speak openly on gender and orientation--often for the first time. Participants will have access to dispelling fears and creating environments where all youth are safe and supported. Data from pre- and post-evaluations are analyzed. Site-specific outcomes are reported and action plans designed with partnered organizations, tailored to their unique organizational needs and culture. We work closely with our partners to support the implementation of their action plans through regular, customized consultation.