Youth Empowered Society [YES]

Location:  Baltimore, MD

Client:  Youth Empowered Society

Developer: Gina Merrit

Services:  Architecture, Interior Design

YES grew out of the work of the Baltimore Homeless Youth Initiative (BHYI) Youth Leaders, a group of youth with personal experiences of homelessness that formed as an arm of the BHYI Coalition to help set its direction during 2009-10.  Among other priorities, they identified the need for and worked to create a comprehensive, one-stop-shop drop-in center for youth, located in a central location, and staffed by formerly homeless young adults with whom the youth could relate. The vision of the BHYI leaders was realized when YES opened its doors in October 2012. 

The new location will expand YES capability to serve more young people in the city. It will include expanded counselling space, space for meetings, showers and baths, and classroom.