YOUTH MENTORING SERVICES OF NIAGARA COUNTY INC

Youth Mentoring Services of Niagara County began in 1973 as an affiliated member of the national organization - Big Brothers Big Sisters, which focuses primarily on one to-one matches. YMS disaffiliated in 2013, to expand programming across Niagara County. YMS has completed the National Accreditation process through the National Quality Mentoring System (NQMS) Program. YMS is founded on a simple, but proven concept: relationships with adults help guide young people along a successful path to becoming responsible adults. At YMS, we provide resources and educational services to children who meet four criteria: low income, single parent home, parent(s) deceased or incarcerated, and grandparent(s) head of household. These children live in risk, due to circumstances they can’t control. YMS is the only youth focused agency that serves children of both genders, county-wide, with no dues or fees for service. YMS offers age-appropriate, developmental in-services using a “High Five Curriculum” based on SEL (social emotional learning) Self – Awareness, Self – Management, Social - Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision Making. Our program serves ethnically diverse children from disadvantaged circumstances by engaging them in activities that foster their growth.