The kick-off barbeque is the first event of the year in which the mentees meet their mentors for the first time. This fun events is really geared toward helping our matches develop a stronger relationship in a fun setting.

As Halloween rolls around, mentors and mentees get to enjoy the annual YSP Halloween party. The part includes music, candy, food treats, and all sorts of fun booths. From the mummy wrapping, to the trick-or-treat cake walk, this event is an awesome time for our participants to dress up and de-stress a little from the busy school year.

At the end of the first semester YSP always throws a Holiday party. Here mentors and mentees can celebrate the Holiday season together as they decorate candy canes, build some crafts, and share in the excitement of the upcoming winter season.

Shadow day is an event that spans all of second-semester. Shadow day is actually an opportunity for the mentees to check out what the life of a college student is for one day. During shadow day mentees get to follow their mentor to classes, see what campus dining is like, and get a feel for the opportunities ahead in college.

The end of the year banquet is a special time in which mentors, mentees, funder, school staff, and YSP staff celebrate another great year. This event serves to really thank all the awesome mentors for their contributions throughout the year as well as showing our partners what we have accomplished in the year. We also have a raffle for awesome prizes (gift certificates to luxury spas, nail salons, restaurants, and many more) and an award ceremony for the mentors and mentees.

Community Access Ticket Service (CATS) is a non-profit organization that serves as a bridge between the social service community and hundreds of exciting cultural entities in the Bay Area. CATS's mission is to build a community through shared experiences while integrating life-skills training with through attendance at events. CATS provides underserved populations with free access to cultural venues such as museums, aquariums, fine art organizations, theatre performances, pro-sports games, etc. Modeled after the successful Center Stage and Bass Ticket Foundations, CATS is the only organization of its kind, providing thousands of opportunities to disadvantaged individuals. CATS partners with over 360 agencies. Through these partnerships over 60,000 people are able to enjoy different events.

CATS is the only organization of its kind committed to:

* Creating a more inclusive community through audience development
* Reducing the rate of recidivism with those clients currently involved with CATS partner agencies
* Creating a fan base and future patrons for cultural events throughout the Bay Area

Past Events Participants Have Attended:

* Raider's Games, Warrior's Games, A's Games, Giant's Games
* Rolling Stones Concert
* The Nutcracker
* Smuin Ballet
* Monterey Bay Aquarium
* Disney on Ice
* Cinderella Ballet
* ... the list goes on!

Each year YSP participates in a Fall and Spring community service project. The purpose of the project is to sharpen skills in leadership, teamwork, and responsibility. Also, this event provides YSP staff, mentors, and mentees with an opportunity to have a positive impact in their community, address and meet relevant needs, and help our youth develop into more productive, confident individuals.

The events serve as a great opportunity for mentors and their mentees to get to know one another better while spending the day helping another agency that serves communities in need.

Last year YSP partnered with The Berkeley Project as its main community service event and sent over 100 volunteers to various agencies in the Berkeley community. We partnered with the Berkeley Project again this year to help agencies in need.

* Berkeley Project
* Berkeley Food and Housing Project
* Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS)
* Center for the Education of the Infant Deaf
* Halcyon Commons
* Tilden Park: East Bay Parks and Creation Services
* Hopalong Animal Rescue
* Saint Andres & Saint Paul Soup Kitchen
* Willard Garden Cleanups
* Children's Hospital
* Daily Bread Project
* East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse
* Emergency Food and Housing
* Schoolhouse Creek Common
* Senior Service Day
* Spiral Gardens
* Strawberry Creek Lodge
* Berkeley Marina
* ... and Many More!!

Our wonderful teachers offer math or English tutoring skills, promote a positive, friendly and encouraging learning environment, and provide consistent support to students in the form of regular after school classes.