Youth Enrichment Services (YES) is honored to have four dedicated runners in the 2018 Boston Marathon. Thank you to the John Hancock Boston Marathon Non-Profit Bib Program for donating the charity bibs to YES. This year, our team will raise over $40,000 to support our mission to inspire and challenge youth with physical and mental activities that foster life-long respect for self, others, and the environment.
Thank you for your support of Team YES!
Sayles Day
As someone who 
grew up with sports, Sayles jumped at the chance to join Team YES when she heard about the opportunity this fall.
She says she decided to run Boston for YES because, “It is important to me that kids and communities who may not traditionally have these opportunities get to experience outdoor adventures. I know from firsthand experience, as both a participant and a counselor/coach, that these adventures are transformative for personal and interpersonal growth – cultivating confidence, problem-solving skills, and leadership skills.”
Sayles is currently a senior at Boston College and a member of the Boston College club cross-country team. She has many 5ks, 10ks, trail races, and half marathons under her belt, but this will be her first time completing a marathon!
When she is not running, Sayles enjoys giving back to her community. As a high school student, she was Vice President of Interact Club, a club which fundraises for non-profit organizations. She has also volunteered with the St. Francis House, Haley House, the Science Club for Girls, and Surfworks (a nonprofit organization which teaches urban youth how to surf while they learn about the environment and sustainability). She is excited to now give back to her community as a Boston Marathon runner for YES.
Sayles currently resides in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
Ben Hartzell
Ben has been an Operation SnowSports volunteer with YES since 2014. When he is not teaching YES youth how to ski, you can find him running, golfing, and swimming throughout the Boston area. Ben has previously run the Rock N’ Roll marathon in Nashville, Tennessee in 2012 and he is excited to take on the Boston Marathon this spring.
The YES Operation SnowSports volunteer decided to join YES’s 2018 Boston Marathon team because he has seen the impact of YES firsthand as a YES volunteer. He is particularly excited to run the Boston Marathon because he “understands the importance of the Boston Marathon to the state and the region.”
In addition to being an active volunteer at YES, Ben is also on the Board of the Malden Community Garden. As a Board Member, Ben helps facilitate improvements for the garden.
Ben currently resides in Malden, Massachusetts with his wife Sarah, who is also a current YES volunteer.
Kelsey Prendergast
Kelsey is a native of Watertown, Massachusetts and a recent graduate of Boston University’s Masters of Public Health program.
Kelsey first discovered her passion for giving back as an undergraduate at Providence College. At Providence College, Kelsey was a member of the PC Pals program, a mentoring program which pairs urban youth with a Providence College student for weekly activities and field trips. Through her experience with the PC Pals program, Kelsey discovered the importance of mentoring programs in helping youth build the skills to succeed in school, work, and life.
She decided to join YES’s 2018 Boston Marathon Team because she believes that “YES gives youth the opportunity to be leaders, make better decisions, and prepare for success in school.” Kelsey has previously completed several 5ks, 10ks, and marathons. Through the Run to Remember half marathon, shes raised over $1,500 for the Boston Children’s Hospital.
Kelsey currently resides in Norfolk, Virginia where she works at The Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. She looks forward to coming back to Boston to run the Boston Marathon with YES this spring.
Marc Sorresso
Marc first became involved with YES as an Operation SnowSports volunteer in 2016. He was attracted to YES’s mission through his own personal connection to skiing and the outdoors. It was through his participation in the ski club that Marc was able to build close friendships and develop self-confidence and independence in middle school.
When Marc heard that Team YES was seeking runners for the Boston Marathon, he decided to join the team as a way to give other Boston youth the same opportunities he had as a child. While he has participated in several 5Ks and half marathons, the Boston Marathon will be Marc’s first marathon.
Beyond his passion for YES, Marc is also passionate about education and coaches teachers full-time through his consulting company.
Marc currently resides in downtown Boston.
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