Last month, we looked back at the origins of the Youth Empowerment for Success (YES!) Fund. More than 30 years ago, the community responded to a difficult truth: many young people felt disconnected from Manhattan and didn’t want to stay and live in here. Today, we're halfway through the 2026 YES! Fund campaign, and it’s clear that the story is still being written… week by week.

Over the past few weeks, the Manhattan Mercury has featured encouraging stories about organizations like Manhattan Surf Soccer Club, Wonder Workshop Children's Museum, and the Flint Hills Volunteer Center. While each organization looks and functions very differently, they all share a common purpose. Each afterschool programs creates space where young people can discover new interests, build confidence, form lasting friendships, and develop a sense of belonging.

And that's one of the most remarkable parts of the YES! Fund.

The young kids who benefited from these investments over the past three decades aren't just statistics in an annual report. They have grown up to be your neighbors, your coworkers, the teacher in your child's classroom, the nurse who cared for your family, or the young professional you see volunteering at community events. They are the young people who found opportunities, mentors, and a place to belong (and ultimately stay) because this community chose to invest in them.

That's the lasting power of local philanthropy.

Every gift to the YES! Fund stays right here in our community, helping ensure that the next generation of youth have the same opportunities to grow, connect, and imagine a future in Manhattan. Those investments don't just change individual lives, they strengthen the entire community for decades to come.

The campaign continues through September 7, so keep an eye out for the weekly stories in the Mercury. Each story offers a glimpse into the organizations and programs that are helping shape the next generation of community leaders, neighbors, and changemakers.

If you haven't yet had the opportunity to support the YES! Fund, there's still time. Whether through a donation, sharing the campaign with a friend, or simply learning more about the organizations featured each week, you can be part of the next chapter in a story that has been making a difference for more than 30 years.