Did you know?
YES seeks to spread the love of the Lord by going out into cities and sharing peace and joy with every person we encounter.
Research shows that gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness, positive emotions, relishing good experiences, improved health, dealing well with adversity, and building strong relationships.
A study was conducted and found that those who write about gratitude or receive kind words were more optimistic and felt better about their lives.
Other studies show that gratuitous acts will positively affect an individual’s wellbeing and improve relationships.
A YES World Party takes this research and actively seeks to produce those results. The participants celebrate life and spread love and joy to all those around them. We hope these actions have a lasting effect on both our trip participants and the people we serve.
“Happiness can only be achieved by looking inward and learning to enjoy all that life has, and this requires transforming greed into gratitude.” – St. John Chrysostom
YES Trip Testimonies
The YES College Day that I attended was not only an amazing way to connect with the greater Bloomington community, but it was also a new way to think about how we, as Orthodox Christians, are supposed to care for those around us, no matter where they come from. This experience wouldn’t have been the same without my trip leader, Peter Webb, who took the time to come up from St. Louis.
-Amelia Berry, YES Bloomington, IN College Day
My experience with YES was amazing! I recommend this for everyone. It opened up a new view to see the world around me. People don’t get to have the things we have right now and we should be blessed to have what we have. Ever since this experience, I have opened myself up to get to know the people in my community.
-Katherine Kartsonis, YES Jacksonville Trip
Where are our YES Leaders now?
We have been taking students from participants to leaders since 2012. YES is shaping what they pursue in life and opening up opportunities for real self-awareness and discovery. What are they doing now?
Trip Leader: Mariella Hanna
What are you doing now?
I am going to be graduating in May with my public health & psychology double major! I am applying for jobs right now, looking at global health non-profits specifically.
How many YES trips have you been on?
8 YES trips and 2 leadership trainings
Has YES helped in different aspects of your life?
Yes! absolutely! Having this experience under my belt puts me ahead of other students my age. Because of the vulnerable populations we have been able to work with and the skill set that we have been taught through leadership training, the past two internships I have had chose me because of my experience with YES.
What would you want to tell future trip leaders?
You are becoming a trip leader because of the skills and passion to serve that you already possess. Leadership training and every experience you will encounter within YES will help you exponentially in building these qualities, and preparing you to be a servant to this world once you have to be a “real adult person”. The opportunities I have had within the Orthodox community and beyond have occurred because of YES, which I will always be grateful for.