“The Youth Empowerment Program provides resources to those who need them most, minority youth who live in some of the most high-risk areas in the country. At its heart, this program is helping them make better lifestyle choices that result in healthier, happier lives.”
— Dr. Paula E. Papanek,
Director of the Program in Exercise Science,
YES Co-Principal Investigator, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI.
About the program
The Youth Empowerment Program or YEP funds novel community-based interventions in effort to reduce health disparities and risky behaviors among minority youth across the country. These demonstration grants are funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH). The Youth Empowered to Succeed or YES is a collaboration between Marquette University's Department of Physical Therapy and the Program in Exercise Sciences with the United Community Center of Milwaukee.
Marquette’s YES3 is one of 6 newly funded initiatives in the US (starting August of 2012) designed to promote good health, positive social interaction, and community building in Latino middle school youth.
YES3 is a five year program that will start with youth from the Bruce Guadalupe Community School.
Students are at risk for
- Unhealthy weight, overweight and obesity
- Developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases
- Typically score below average in math, science and reading.
- Face obstacles to success in high school, pre-college exams and entrance into universities.
A major objective of YES3 is to increase academic performance and support Latino students to seek careers in healthcare.
Find out more
YES2 video link
For more information on Marquette University’s YES Program, contact Kelly Dione at (414) 649-2819 or kelly.dione@marquette.edu
