Bernadette Souza Executive Director bernadette@younb.org
Katie Roberts, Program Operations Director katie@younb.org
Karina de Brum
OST Program Manager karina@younb.org
Blanca Santiago Program and Family Outreach Assistant blanca@younb.org
Abigail Hevey Development Consultant abby@younb.org
Lillianne Condez Marketing and Communications Manager lilli@younb.org
Bob Nichols Garden Manager
Bill Trimble Bike Shop Manager bikeshop@younb.org
Dear friends,
As we look back on the past two decades since our founding, we find ourselves reflecting deeply on the experiences we’ve shared, the relationships we’ve nurtured, and the powerful stories of the youth we serve. This year, our focus has been on cultivation—a theme that resonates with our core values.
We strongly believe that programs led by children allow for natural learning experiences and a high level of engagement. By tapping into their innate curiosity, we empower young people to explore their passions and take ownership of their journeys. Our dedicated Board and Staff strive to create a community where safety and enjoyment go hand in hand with learning. These deep experiences create a life-long impact not only on our youth but also on us.
We are continually inspired by the remarkable efforts of our staff and the unwavering support from our community. Over these 20 years, we have built incredible teams that contribute their unique talents to furthering our mission. We are profoundly grateful to everyone who has left their mark on Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.). Your contributions have shaped not only our organization but also the lives of countless young individuals. Your impact endures, and your legacy is felt deeply in our community.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us.
Bernadette Souza, Executive Director
Gail Fortes, Board Chair
OUR MISSION
Youth Opportunities Unlimited taps into the wonder and curiosity of youth to seek adventure and learn naturally.
OUR VISION
Our vision is for all youth to develop a strong sense of self, gain essential life skills, and discover their passions that bring them joy and positively impact their community.
THE HARVEST
During the 2023 growing season, we harvested 300+ lbs. of fruits and vegetables. Youth worked alongside our Garden Manager, staff, and volunteers to plant, weed, and harvest. The produce was transformed into delicious meals by youth participants alongside our chef and staff. Surplus vegetables were placed on our outdoor <community table,= inviting families and passersby to share in the bounty.
THE ECLIPSE
In April, our Food for Thought Program made their way over to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth for a special visit topped with an astrological show that was out of this world, a solar eclipse! The next time Massachusetts can expect to see another solar eclipse is over 50 years in 2079 making this a once in a lifetime opportunity for our youth!
3,980
Total hours spent outdoors
5,566.5
Total program contact hours
13,732
Total miles biked
COMMUNITY BIKES
We held several bike giveaways this year donating 105 bikes to youth. These bikes are just a few of the 2,310 lbs of bikes saved from landfills and made like new again.
OUR YEAR IN REVIEW
SPECIAL EVENTS
We held multiple special events for STEM learning and social emotional development. Events like the Owl Prowl with Mass Audubon taught our kids how to take natural biology into their own hands.
WE SERVED
ACROSS ACROSS
This year, we focused on enhancing the quality of our program experiences for our youth. Additionally, many of our partner schools continued to send the same students to each program throughout the year, so they could benefit from a full year of Y.O.U. In the spring we faced staff challenges and had to slightly cut back on programming days and couldn't offer more large scale field-trips. However, we did increase the number of special and evening programs offered, allowing us to create meaningful experiences that enriched children and their families.
BIKING ACROSS THE GLOBE
This year, youth biked a total of 13,732 miles between all our programs. That’s enough mileage to travel to Seoul, South Korea and back!
65%
35%
OF YOUTH WERE SERVED DURING THE SUMMER OF YOUTH WERE SERVED DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR
AWARDING EXCELLENCE
Our Program and Operations Director, Katie Roberts recieved the Mass Audubon Conservation Teacher of the Year Award 2023 for her work in connecting students to their local environment
PROGRAMS
PROGRAM MODEL
Unlocking the extraordinary potential of our youth begins with nurturing their innate drive and emotional well-being. By immersing them in the wonders of nature and hands-on learning, we do more than impart knowledge—we foster resilience and unquenchable curiosity. Our youth-led program model cultivates ownership of the participant’s experience. This transformative approach equips children with the essential skills to thrive in school and throughout their lives.
Through participant input, we have developed five core programs throughout the year and countless special programs.
Our intimate group ratios allow staff to form impactful relationships with participants. These relationships greatly improve the youth experience in programming and provide emotional and developmental support over time.
At Y.O.U., we believe that if we are staying safe and having fun, we are bound to learn along the way. We carry this motto in our youth experience.
ETHNICITY
RACE
Y.O.U. directly benefits families residing within New Bedford’s neighborhoods, serving children ages 7-14, 90% of whom come from
income families.
<Some of my favorite memories this Fall include making flowers out of Legos, riding bikes a lot, and playing ping pong.=
pictured right
1930 1930 1960 1960 - 20042016
2016 - PRESENT 2016 - PRESENT
PUSH US FORWARD. PUSH US FORWARD.
We’re thrilled to share some exciting news! This year, we’ve secured a new building that will help support the future growth of our organization. While we’ll continue to hold programming at our beloved Warming House, we’re eager to explore the possibilities this new space offers. Stay tuned and join us on this exciting journey as we plan for the future together. Let’s continue to shape an incredible future for Y.O.U. and our community!
PARTNERSHIPS
We collaborate with a network of community organizations to drive our programs, connect with the children we serve, and advance our mission.
Our partnership with the New Bedford Public School District and two independent schools is vital to our mission and our ability to connect with New Bedford’s youth. We proudly collaborate with the following schools:
John A. Parker Elementary
Alfred J. Gomes Elementary
Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary
Roosevelt Middle School
William Taylor Elementary
Whaling City Jr./Sr. High
Our Sisters’ School
Nativity Prepatory School
By maximizing our partnerships with various community organizations and institutions, we provide unique learning experiences while keeping programming costs low and sustainable. Our partners include:
New Bedford Parks Recreation & Beaches
Community Boating Center/ Blue Lane
Rentals
YWCA of Southeastern Massachusetts
MassHire- Youthworks
Boys and Girls Club of New Bedford
3rd EyE Youth Empowerment
Greater New Bedford Youth Alliance
Friends of Hazelwood Park
Buzzards Bay Coalition
New Bedford Whaling Museum
New Bedford Symphony Orchestra
New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center
Little People’s College
Friends Academy
Tabor Academy
UMass Dartmouth, School for Marine
Science & Technology (SMAST)
Alison Wells Fine Art Studio and Gallery
Bridgewater State University (Dr. Robert Hellstrom)
UMass Dartmouth (Chartwells)
Bristol Community College Wind Power Lab
Vineyard Wind LLC
Round the Bend Farm (Manifest Love)
Coastal Foodshed
Berry Hill Farm, Westport
Soule Homestead Education Center
Plymouth County 4-H
Mass Audubon at Allen’s Pond
Trustees of Reservations @ Haskell Public Gardens
Destination Soups Inc.
Good Company New Bedford
Sound Explorations
Co-Creative Center
Revenue Sources
During the 2023 - 2024 fiscal year, our community of funders and donors continued to generously invest in Y.O.U. We also continued to successfully diversify and increase our funding sources to ensure Y.O.U. continues to elevate programming and expand our impact. We are beyond grateful to all of our funders and donors who are committed to New Bedford's children.
Program Expenses
In line with our recent Strategic Plan, during the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the majority of our spending was invested in recruiting and retaining high-quality staff members. Staff are critical to the success of Y.O.U.'s mission and impact, and in shaping and implementing the amazing experiences we are able to bring our youth participants every day.
We were thrilled to partner with Y.O.U. to enable newcomer children and adults to receive a free, refurbished bicycle this year. It was such a wonderful event, and Y.O.U staff and volunteers really made everyone feel so welcome and special. Everyone who received a bike was so appreciative and has been able to safely ride to become better acquainted with their new neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces.
Corinn Williams Executive Director Community Economic Development Center
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
Each day at Y.O.U. is a new adventure and we love being able to provide any resources or knowledge we have to offer, but really we receive so much from this collaboration. From the minute you walk into the Warming House, you can’t help but feel the magic. The staff creates such a warm, welcoming environment it has been easy to partner with them from day one. We are so honored to have the support and trust of the Y.O.U. team to help us fulfill our goal of increasing awareness of Mass Audubon and access to nature to the New Bedford residents.
Carrie Hawthorne Program Partner Mass Audubon
Expense Growth
In line with our mission and strategic goals, Y.O.U. continues to expand capacity and programming annually.
ESTEFANY’S RIDE
Estefany (8) and her mother, Camila had made the long and hard journey to immigrate to the United States from Honduras back in April of 2021. Language barriers made it hard to advocate for their family’s needs but they were hopeful of the new opportunities in our community. We met the pair while tabling at one of the New Bedford Elementary Schools.
Estefany’s love of learning encouraged her mother to sign her up for our Learn to Ride Program. Her mother told us that before discovering Y.O.U., <She would have never thought Estefany would learn how to ride a bike.= as Camila had not been able learn to ride a bike either and wanted to give her daughter the opportunity.
Estefany loved the program and the confidence she built while riding. At the end of the program, Estefany was given a bike of her own and our staff made sure she was safe in style with a helmet as cool as she is.
Camila told us their family would not have been able to afford to get her a bike, otherwise. They are very grateful for the free tools, skills, and opportunities they found at Y.O.U. Now, Estefany rides her bike at home and shows her bike riding
<Estefany loves Y.O.U. and wishes she could be here everyday...=
Camila, Estefany’s Mom
LearntoRide,Fall2023
Thank You
for generously supporting Youth Opportunities Unlimited, (Y.O.U.), Inc.
July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
Individual
Abby Abrahamsom
Nicole Almeida
Joel B. Alvord
Lisa Alvord
Macs Amusements
Janet Atkins
David Bacon
Jasmyn Baird
Deborah Baker
Talbot Baker Jr.
Maureen Baptista
William Barr
Sylvia Barros
Christina Bascom
Valerie Bassett
Rebecca Berkowitz
Scott Bishop
Peter Blanchard
Jen Booth
Bettina Borders
Diana Brewer
Melissa Bride
Cecilia Brito
Iva Brito
Kristen Britto
Eric Britto Jr
Shane Burgo
Lean Camara
Robin Canastra
Juraci Capataz
Caroline Conzatti
Alison Coolidge
Susan Costa
Tony Costa
Loretto Crane
Janine da Silva
Katherine Dabney
Emily Danforth
Helena DaSilva Hughes
Colleen Dawicki
Paul Deare
Abra Degbor
Lisa DeJesus
Yolanda Dennis
Owen Downey
Kathryn Duff
Ian Duff
Anne Eades
Robert Edgren
Margaret Egan
Pamela Ellis
Anne Espindola
Robert Espindola
Linda Fenton
Jacqueline Elias
Enable Hope Foundation
Linda Fenton
Jennifer Ferland
Steve Ferreira
Janet Ferreira
Kimberly Ferreira
Kristine Ferrero
Kristine Ferreira
Sandra Ford
Gail Fortes
Kim Francis
Janet Freedman
Susan Frigault
Will Gardner
Suzanne Gebelein
Harriet Gottesman
Duayne Grace
Patricia Grime
Robyn Gurney
Peter Harvey
Stacey Hathaway
Caroline Hawthorne
Deirdre Healy
Kimberly Heard
Edward Herlihy
Sarah Hermon
Abigail Hevey
Ben Hevey
Nelson Hockert-Lotz
L. Howard
Beppie Huidekoper
Alyson Hussey
Nicole Jackman
Ruth Johnson
Elizabeth Kellogg
Nancy Kurtz
Jason Lanagan
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our anonymous donors. Your generous support makes a profound impact on our mission and the lives we touch.
Thank you for believing in our work and for your invaluable contribution.
Carlene Leblanc
Kenneth Lipman
Stacie Long
Doreen Lopes
Michelle Loranger
Lawrence Lutvak
Kate Mahoney
Victor Mailely
John Mannix
John McCoy
Daniel McKee
Amanda McMullen
Rachel Medeiros
Elizabeth Mello
Kristen Mendes
Eugene Monteiro
Paula Montgomery
Mark Moreira
Colleen Millett
Marlene Muguro
Elizabeth Murphy
Keith Murphy
Glen Oliveira
Jennifer Oliveira
Cristy O'Brien
Jennifer Paine
Ryan Paiva
Thomas Pappas
Jill Pappas
Matthew Payette
Kim Perry
Melissa Platt
Danielle Poyant
Regina Purtell
Carmen Rapoza
Ronald Raymond
Camille Raymond
Renee Reis
Margaret Riley
Elizabeth Riley-Mello
Cecelia Roberts
aula Robinson-Deare
Edward Rogers
Cynthia Rose
Bruce Rose
Dr. Jennifer Russell
Margo Saulnier
Steve Silverstein
Melissa Silvia
Gillian Simmons
Chuck Smiler
Beth Smith
Jennifer Smith
Bernadette Souza
Michelle Sparks
Donna Spirlet
William Stanley
Lorene Sweeney
Marianna Sylvester
Maureen Sylvia
Pamela Talbot
Dr. Bruce Tench II
Colleen Trahan
Shaun Van Laarhoven
Henry Van Laarhoven
Desa Van Laarhoven
Rhonda Veugen
Henry Wainer
Marion Wainer
Jennifer White (Smith)
Nicholas Wildman
Marcy Wintrub
Foundations / Organizations
Adelard A. & Valeda Lea Roy Foundation
Alvord Family Foundation
Amelia Peabody Foundation
Baldwin Brothers
BayCoast Bank
Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation
Carney Family Charitable Foundation
City of New Bedford CDBG Funding
City of New Bedford Invest in Kids Program
Congregational Church of South Dartmouth
Dorr Family Foundation
Elizabeth Bascom Foundation
Enable Hope Foundation
Ferreira Group
First Citizens' Federal Credit Union
Garden Club of Buzzards Bay
Insperity
Island Foundation
James Arnold Fund
Loomis, Sayles & Co
MAP ASOST Grant Program
Mass Audubon
New Bedford Cultural Council
New Bedford Day Nursery
Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation
Schrafft Charitable Trust
Senator Montigny Children's Fund
SouthCoast Community Foundation - Greater
New Bedford Youth Alliance Fund
SouthCoast Community Foundation -
Southcoast Wind Fund
Southcoast Health
The Kate Mahoney Fund
Thomas A. Rodgers, Jr. Family Foundation
United Way of Greater New Bedford
Vineyard Wind
Whaling City Display Auction
Youth Investment Foundation
Dear Reader, Dear Reader,
I am absolutely thrilled to share my experience with Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) and the incredible impact it had on my son's life. As a parent, there are few moments as rewarding as witnessing your child achieve a significant milestone, and I can confidently say that this program played a pivotal role in making that happen for us.
Before enrolling my son in Y.O.U., he was hesitant and fearful of riding a bike. The thought of letting go of his training wheels was met with anxiety, and we were both unsure of how to navigate this important rite of passage. That's when we discovered 'Learn-to-Ride' at Y.O.U., and it turned out to be an absolute game-changer.
From the moment we stepped into the program, we were greeted by a team of dedicated and passionate instructors who created a warm, encouraging, and supportive environment. Their expertise in teaching young children how to ride a bike was evident from the start. They had a remarkable ability to connect with kids and make the entire learning process not only enjoyable but also safe.
The progression my son made in just a few short weeks was astonishing. The program used a thoughtful and gradual approach to build his confidence and skills. From balance exercises to learning to pedal independently, every step of the way was thoughtfully planned out, ensuring that he felt secure while also pushing him to achieve more.
What truly sets Y.O.U. apart is their commitment to not only teaching children how to ride a bike but also the million other things they do with your children: from playing basketball, providing snacks and water, to teaching them about bees and gardening to sending them home with weekly vegetables. I can’t express how phenomenal this program truly is.
I must also commend the program for their emphasis on safety. The instructors ensured that each child had the proper safety gear and taught them essential road safety rules and their ABCs of a bike. As a parent, I appreciated their attention to detail in keeping my child safe while they learned this invaluable skill.
I wholeheartedly recommend Y.O.U. to any parent seeking a program that not only teaches kids how to ride a bike but also nurtures their self-confidence and resilience. The transformation I witnessed in my son was nothing short of remarkable, and I am eternally grateful to the incredible team at Y.O.U. for helping him embark on this exciting journey of independence and adventure. The joy on his face when he rode without training wheels for the first time is a memory I will cherish forever. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making a lasting difference in my child's life.
Jillian Sincerely, Jillian
Sincerely,
Jillian C., Bennett’s Mom (pictured left)
While bike riding remains a vital aspect of our programming, we have expanded our youth experiences over the past 20 years. In collaboration with local community organizations and schools, the creation of new opportunities have enhanced our ability to explore beyond the bikes.
