THE DALLES — A group of Google volunteers spent three days completing different projects at the Youth Empowerment Shelter (YES) Transition House. This is the third year in a row that Google has donated their time, materials, and experience through their annual Google Serve program.
Google Serve connects Google employees with volunteer projects at different nonprofits each year. YES has been fortunate to be a recipient of Google Serve for several years, and Google staff have made a big impact on YES programming.
A group of Google volunteers spent three days completing different projects at the Youth Empowerment Shelter (YES) Transition House.
Contributed photo
YES is a local nonprofit that offers emergency shelter and support to youth and young adults in crisis. Located in The Dalles, YES provides a safe and stable environment for youth to regroup, heal, and reconnect with caring adults through two main programs — the YES House and the Transition House. The Transition House offers low-cost housing, life skills instruction, support, and advocacy to individuals 17-24 years old that are experiencing housing instability.
This year, Google had 20 employees volunteer at the Transition House and completed several projects. These projects included painting, stair refurbishing, weeding, building a new shed, and beautifying the outdoor space. The results of their volunteering help to create a more welcoming, safe, and comfortable space for young adults living at the Transition House.
“When we keep our program spaces looking organized, cared for and welcoming, we are sending a direct and important message to our residents that they are valuable and deserving of a nice place to live," said YES Executive Director Livia Christensen. "In turn, we see them engage more in our program and recognize the effort that it takes to be a good tenant, neighbor, and community member in the future. The Google Serve program has been incredibly impactful for a small agency like YES. We don’t always have the financial resources or human power to keep up with all the projects that need to be done. We are so grateful that Google gives back to the community in this way.”
A group of Google volunteers spent three days completing different projects at the Youth Empowerment Shelter (YES) Transition House.
Contributed photo
"Participating in GoogleServe, especially with the Youth Empowerment Shelter (YES), has been an incredibly rewarding experience for our team. It's more than just completing projects; it's about strengthening our bond as a team while making a tangible difference in our local community," said Google Data Center Site Lead Meagan Padgett. "For the past three years, we've had the privilege of contributing to the YES Transition House, and each time, we're reminded of the profound impact a welcoming and cared-for environment can have on young adults in crisis. Knowing that our efforts in painting, refurbishing, and beautifying their space directly communicate their value and worth is incredibly motivating. Our continued partnership with YES allows us to directly support a vital local nonprofit, and seeing the positive changes firsthand truly brings our team together with a shared sense of purpose and pride." -
Youth Empowerment Shelter is the only provider of shelter services specifically for homeless youth in our region. For more information, visit www.yeshelter.org.
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