Mission & History

The Youth Empowerment Mission, Inc. (YEM) is a community-based organization that was founded in 1995 to meet the critical needs of young people living in the Bedford-Stuyvesant and the surrounding communities of central Brooklyn. YEM is dedicated to creating comprehensive long-term solutions that give young people in high-risk environments real alternatives to violence and delinquency while addressing the underlying conditions that influence this self-destructive life style.

During the mid 1990’s, many low-income, inner-city communities of color saw an insurgence of gangs and gang-related activities, and many young people were misdirected into joining violent gangs. As a result Bedford-Stuyvesant became a haven where youth violence and drug-related activities flourished. YEM was founded in direct response to this crisis, and since that time our award-winning Blossom Program for Girls has provided research-based services that have helped over 800 young women avoid risky behavior and achieve positive life outcomes.  YEM is now one of the few community-based organizations recognized for providing research-based, “alternative to incarceration” programs for youth under the care of the juvenile justice system, as well as those at high risk for truancy, delinquency, violence and gang activity.  YEM has been recognized both locally and nationally for its work with high risk youth.