In this inspiring episode of Beyond Giving, host Zac sits down with Jacqueline and Joseph from Y.E.S! (Youth Entrepreneurship Services) to spotlight a San Antonio-based nonprofit that’s shaping the future of youth entrepreneurship. Learn how Y.E.S! blends business mentorship, mental health support, and real-world education to help middle and high school students launch their own business ideas—all while addressing deep-rooted community and family challenges.

From mock business simulations to real VC pitch sessions, Y.E.S! empowers youth to not only dream big but also build the skills, mindset, and resilience necessary to execute those dreams.

Host: Zac Brown “The Non-Profit Guy”

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacjordanbrown/

Guests: 

Jacqueline N. Hernandez (Founder & President Y.E.S.! Youth Entrepreneurship Services)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/consult-jacqueline/

Joseph Trevino (Community Engagement Lead Y.E.S.! Youth Entrepreneurship Services)

Guest Organization: Y.E.S! Youth Entrepreneurship Services 

What You’ll Learn

• What Y.E.S! Does: A breakdown of Y.E.S!'s 5-month mentorship academies, Saturday tutoring, mental health integration, and pitch-based funding competitions (“Y.E.S! Tank”).
  
  
• Their Mission: Bridging the gap between potential and access for underrepresented youth.
  
  
• Why Mental Health Matters: How trauma, disrupted homes, and lack of family support impact young entrepreneurs—and how Y.E.S! addresses it head-on.
  
  
• Community Impact: Stories of transformation, from students who lacked belief to youth now building parks, smart lawnmowers, and scalable startups.
  
  
• How They Built Their Team: Why passion alone isn’t enough, and how influence, commitment, and community ties matter in nonprofit leadership.
  
  
• The Power of Support: The role entrepreneurs, mentors, and sponsors can play in shaping the next generation of changemakers.
  
  

Featured Quotes

“We want to close the gap between potential and access.” – Jacqueline
 “Mental health has to be addressed—because you can’t grow a business when you’re silently struggling.” – Joseph
 “We give them tools, not just hope. When they fall, they know how to get back up.” – Jacqueline
 “We’re teaching youth how to take something from seed to sprout.” – Joseph

How You Can Help

Y.E.S! is actively seeking:

• Entrepreneur Mentors
• Business Owners for Site Tours & Shadowing
• Program Sponsors & Financial Supporters
• Youth Participants (ages 12–18)
   If you’ve ever said, “I wish I knew this earlier,” here’s your chance to give that knowledge to the next generation.

Connect with Y.E.S!

•  Website: yesnonprofit.org
• Instagram: @yes.nonprofit
• Want to become a mentor or sponsor? Reach out through their website or DM them on Instagram.