On Monday, December 5, the YES Annual Celebration returned to its in-person setting at Fenway Park for the first time since 2019. Over 100 supporters, volunteers, and friends joined us in the State Street Pavilion Club to celebrate YES and its achievements throughout the year.
During the event, YES welcomed two new members to the Advisory Council, four new members to the Board of Trustees, and three new members to the Board of Directors. Read more about them here. In addition, 25 individuals renewed their commitment to serve on the YES Board of Directors and Trustees
YES parent and Dorchester resident, Keila Kiranga, shared the impact that YES had on her 8-year-old son, Mateo, as he became the first member of their family to learn how to ski. Six-year YES volunteer, Marina Freytsis, told the audience about her positive experiences teaching YES youth on the slopes and bike trails. And 17-year-old YES teen leader, Amia Weekes, shared her experience about being involved with YES since she was seven years old. In her remarks, Amia shared that participating in YES has inspired her to share her love of snowsports into her culture. “I want skiing to not just be a sport that is seen as ‘a white people sport’ but a sport that everyone is a part of.” Amia wrapped up her remarks by sharing her plans after graduating high school college to study pharmacology – and thanked YES for “letting me realize all my dreams are achievable and nothing should stop me.”
The Boston Children’s Hospital Collaboration for Community Health was awarded the 2022 YES Champion Award. YES has been fortunate to be a two-time recipient of financial support through their distribution of funds to support Boston organizations with programming to increase youth physical activity and recreation opportunities. Support and guidance from the center and their team have been instrumental in YES’s growth, in particular our partnership programming with housing developments, especially the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments, schools, and other community providers.
Thank you for joining us!