According to the Children’s Bureau’s Child Welfare Outcomes Data, a child in foster care may experience placement changes up to two times within the first twelve months—and that number often increases the longer they remain in the system. These frequent disruptions contribute to interrupted education, with fewer than 60% of foster youth graduating from high school.
In Oklahoma, where the aging-out age is 18, many young people leave the system without a high school diploma, life skills, or a support network. As a result, they face significantly higher risks of homelessness, substance abuse, and incarceration, as reported by Youth.gov.
Youth Empowered and Strong (Y.E.S.) was created to meet these challenges head-on. Our fostering group home is committed to providing stability, life skills training, educational support, and career development opportunities to ensure foster youth are not only cared for—but empowered to thrive.
Meet our Founder
Michele Hill
Michele’s passion and purpose have always centered around youth in the community, with a strong focus on their well-being and education. With degrees in Early Childhood Education and Social Work, she has spent over 20 years working in some of Oklahoma’s leading childcare centers. As her journey evolved, she earned a degree in Human Development and a certification in Nonprofit Management, which deepened her commitment to supporting youth in foster care—especially those aging out of the system. Driven by a desire to create lasting change, Michele became a foster parent and founded Youth Empowered and Strong (Y.E.S.) to make a meaningful difference in the lives of foster children and to help shift the landscape of the Child Welfare system.
Meet the Team
Our leadership team was thoughtfully assembled to reflect a range of socioeconomic backgrounds and ethnic diversity. Each member brings valuable experience and/or education in relevant fields, along with unique perspectives and strengths that contribute to the mission and success of Youth Empowered and Strong (Y.E.S.).
Deanna Saldivar
Mattece Mason
Marcia Keesee