Barry Newstead and Don Howard

Founded in 1995, Houston-based Project Youth Engaged in Service (YES) pursues a comprehensive approach to helping students with limited resources achieve the dream of a college education. YES’ leadership initially kept the organization small, wanting to prove its educational model worked before expanding. But by 2004, with three integrated 6-12 campuses in operation and 10 years of experience with the model, they were ready to grow and faced multiple pathways for doing so.

YES’ leadership engaged with the Bridgespan Group to develop a growth plan. They started by clarifying what “success” would look like for the organization, drawing on qualitative and quantitative information, as well as the passion and commitment that inspired them to do their work. Aligning the organization to the vision that emerged, they decided to expand YES’ Houston presence, bolster its core grade 6-12 offering, and add alumni services.

www.yesprep.org