named programs · 10 · from sources
What they call their work
C3
STEM-based learning with SEL component for youth ages 8–18, offered during the school year.
Camperships
Partnership-based program providing free camp opportunities at NYS Sheriffs’ Camp and Tim Horton Children’s Foundation Camp for economically disadvantaged youth.
High Five
Literacy and SEL program for children ages 7–11, offered during the school year.
Junior Leader Program
Leadership development program for youth in grades 7–12. Participants gain real-life experience and attend weekly "Game of Life" sessions focused on SEL for teens.
LINKS – YMS-School Collaborative
School-based SEL program implemented in Lockport City Schools and Barker Central School with funding from the Niagara Foundation. Offers age-appropriate, standards-aligned SEL curricula for grades K–6.
STEM Enrichment Program
6-week summer STEM program for youth, offered as an extension of Summer Adventures. Includes themes on nature, environmental engineering, and community connections with SEL integration.
Summer Adventures
Free 8-week summer program for youth in grades K–6, running 5 days a week with breakfast and lunch provided. Focuses on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) through themed activities, crafts, games, and workshops.
Summer Food Service Program
Provides free breakfast and lunch to children during summer months, supported by Niagara County Youth Bureau.
The Game of Life
Game-based SEL program for older youth ages 12–18, offered during the school year and through Lockport Spokes.
Thumbs Up
Literacy and SEL program for children in grades K–1, offered during the school year as part of group mentoring.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Youth Leadership Development Programs 3 activities
- Community impact and service activities for youthEngages youth in community service projects such as writing cards to the elderly, creating gifts for low-income families, and making postcards for sick children to foster empathy and civic responsibility.
- Game of Life social emotional learning program for older youthProvides weekly Game of Life sessions for youth in grades 7–12 at the Kenan Center and Aaron Mossell Jr. High School, using game-based learning to teach life skills and decision-making.
- Junior Leader leadership development programRuns a Junior Leader program for youth in grades 7–12 to build leadership, responsibility, communication, and patience through weekly sessions and real-life experience.
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Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Programs 2 activities
- Group mentoring programs using Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculumOffers weekly group mentoring sessions for children ages 5–18 across Niagara County during the school year, incorporating SEL curricula aligned with New York State Learning Standards and SEL Benchmarks in partner schools.
- Literacy-based social emotional learning programs for elementary studentsDelivers age-specific, literacy-integrated SEL programs including Thumbs Up (K–1), High Five (ages 7–11), and grade-tailored curricula focusing on respect and responsibility, delivered in schools and community sites.
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Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 1 activity
- Annual youth and family support initiativesImplements recurring programs including Summer camperships, Summer Food Service Program, nutritious snack distribution, school supply provision (“Tools for Schools”), holiday gift distribution (“Santa Sac”), and special agency events to support youth and families.
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Youth One-on-One Mentoring 1 activity
- One-on-one youth mentoring for personal development and responsible citizenshipProvides individualized mentoring relationships between youth and caring adults to support personal growth, responsible decision-making, and civic engagement.
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Hands-On STEM Education Programs 1 activity
- STEM-based social emotional learning programs for youthOffers C3 and other STEM-focused programs integrating social emotional learning for youth ages 8–18, including a STEM Enrichment Program and curriculum addressing mind-body connections for grades 5–6.
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After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Step Up Plus holiday program for youthOperates the Step Up Plus program during school holidays, offering childcare, structured activities, meals (three per day), and social emotional learning to children and youth.
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Summer Academic Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Summer youth programs with academic, SEL, and enrichment componentsHosts an eight-week summer program for youth in grades K–6 operating five days per week, providing academic support, social emotional learning, STEM curriculum, physical activity, and meals; includes a STEM Enrichment Program extension.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Youth volunteer and leadership development through serviceEngages college and high school students annually as volunteers in mentoring, food preparation, office support, and facilities maintenance, providing real-world experience in social work, teaching, marketing, and human resources.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$333K
Contributions & grants$281K84%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$21K6%
Other revenue$31K
expenses
Total expenses$293K
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$169K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$423K
Cash$116K
Investments$233K
Liabilities$0
Net assets$423K
Liquid reserves14.3 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +25.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUE CAPELL | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $62K |
board members · 14
- ANN MURPHY — DIRECTOR
- BEVERLY FEDERSPIEL — TREASURER
- BRAD GROFF — DIRECTOR
- COURTNEY PFEFFER — DIRECTOR
- CRAIG DUMBLETON — DIRECTOR
- DAN HESCH — DIRECTOR
- DAVID OLSON — DIRECTOR
- GIAN P GIANDOMENICO MPA ARM — SECRETARY
- JAMES SULLIVAN — DIRECTOR
- MATTHEW STADLMEIR — VICE-CHAIR
- MOLLY MAYERS — DIRECTOR
- RICHELLE PASCERI — DIRECTOR
- ROBERT SOBCZYK — DIRECTOR
- STANLEY DOMSKI JR — CHAIRPERSON
relationships · 22
Who they work with
- Aaron Mossell Jr. High Partner — Hosts after-school group mentoring sessions on Thursdays with late bus availability.
- Aaron Mossell Junior High School Partner — Hosts Game of Life activities for youth on Thursdays.
- American Red Cross Partner — Recognized with the Real Hero Award for Community Service.
- Barker Central School Partner — Collaborates with YMS to deliver the LINKS Social Emotional Learning program.
- City of Lockport Schools Partner — Partnered with YMS to provide meals to children during the emergency childcare program.
- Grigg-Lewis Foundation Funder — Provides funding for college student interns during the summer months to develop and present the YMS summer program.
- Kenan Center Partner — Hosts Game of Life activities for youth on Mondays.
- Kenan Center Partner — Hosts after-school group mentoring sessions on Mondays.
- Lockport City Schools Partner — Collaborates with YMS to deliver the LINKS Social Emotional Learning program.
- Lockport Ice Arena & Sports Center Inc. Partner — Collaborated with YMS to provide emergency childcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Lockport Spokes Partner — Collaborates with Lockport Spokes to conduct after-school group mentoring sessions.
- New York State Office of Children and Family Services Government — Financially supports Youth Mentoring Services.
- Niagara County Youth Bureau Government — Provided meal program support and funding for youth services in collaboration with YMS.
- Niagara Foundation Funder — Provided grant funding to implement the LINKS Social Emotional Learning curriculum in schools.
- Sheriffs’ Camp Partner — Partners to provide camp opportunities for youth; Sheriffs’ Camp is located in the Finger Lakes region on Keuka Lake in Yates County, NY.
- Tim Horton Children’s Foundation Partner — Partners to provide children with access to Tim Horton Children’s Foundation Camp at Camp Kenthaten in Campbellsville, KY.
- United Way of Greater Niagara Funder — Financially supports Youth Mentoring Services.
- United Way of Greater Niagara Partner — Provided media exposure and event support for YMS programs.
- WNY Food Bank Partner — Provides nutritious snacks and beverages through a partnership with YMS.
- WNY Food Bank Partner — Provides nutritious snacks and beverages through partnership with YMS.
- YMS Network — Implied affiliation as the operating name of Youth Mentoring Services of Niagara County Inc.
- Yale University Partner — References Yale University research on the impact of social and emotional learning.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Experiential Learning with Structured Reinforcement for Skill Developmentmethodology: experiential-learning-with-structured-reinforcementBy combining real-life experience—such as internships and program leadership—with structured reflection and skill-building sessions (e.g., Game of Life), the organization reinforces social-emotional learning and workforce readiness, because hands-on experience paired with guided reinforcement deepens retention and promotes holistic youth development.
- One-on-One Mentoring for Youth Developmentmethodology: one-on-one youth mentoringBy establishing sustained, one-on-one relationships between youth and caring adult mentors, the organization produces positive developmental outcomes, because these consistent, trusting relationships enable youth to build self-efficacy, navigate challenges, and reach their full potential as responsible community members.
- Social-Emotional Learning as a Foundational Development Approachmethodology: social-emotional-learningBy integrating Social Emotional Learning (SEL) across all programs—through curriculum, activities, and structured reinforcement—the organization builds youth resiliency and supports responsible decision-making, because developing core competencies in self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making strengthens emotional intelligence and long-term behavioral outcomes.