Who is YES?
The Board Members of YES! are a group of professionals, most of whom have personal experience with YOD, who are deeply committed to providing resources, education, and support to the families of the YOD community. The YES! team is the Executive Director, Deborah Hanna, and the social media strategists along with a nonprofit consultant and support group leaders. Each person serves the YES! mission with a passion for educating and supporting those with a YOD diagnosis. Learn more about the YES! Board and Team on their respective pages.
Find out how YES! got started as an organization on our History of YES! page.
See Our History
What is YES!
YES! is a GuideStar platinum-rated registered 501c3 nonprofit organization that has established a support network to address the unique and growing needs of the young-onset dementia (YOD) community. People with YOD may be in their 40’s, 50’s and early 60’s. Through YES, families and caregivers build friendships with other families dealing with the unrelenting maze of dementia caregiving, helping them feel supported, heard, and validated.
Mission
Our mission is to provide education and support for families affected by young-onset dementia (YOD).
Vision
To address the unmet and growing needs of the young-onset dementia community by promoting educational resources and opportunities, community awareness, support groups, care partner retreats, and social events. YES! believes a stronger community builds strength for individuals caring for and suffering from dementia.
What does YES do?
There are two prongs to the work of YES: education and support. YES! informs those diagnosed and their families about YOD, as well as educates medical and health professionals about diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and medications. YES! provides a support system including groups, as well as connections to resources, referrals, and people who can assist with navigating the care of loved ones.
YES! has two main programming initiatives to support families with a YOD diagnosis:
Support groups
YES! supports five distinctly different support groups meeting in-person and online. Check out our support pages to see more information on groups and services that may be available for specific demographics.
Caregiver Wellness Retreats
Our aim is to give those caring for loved ones affected by young-onset dementia (YOD) time and space to step out of that role, slow down, and breathe. Caregiver burnout is real.
Why YES!
What makes YES! so amazing? The people. YES! was started by a group of people who had individuals in their families suffering from YOD (young-onset dementia). Currently the board is made up of members who have either walked this path in their own families or are directly serving these families in their professional career in some capacity. What began as a support group has grown into a very interactive community. Rarely do families lose contact with YES! once their journey with YOD is completed. Every family has reached out in some way to stay connected and offer support to those just beginning their journeys. Friendships have been forged in grief, frustration, commitment and courage. If you or your loved one has hit a bump in the road, there is always someone who was there before you ready to give advice, support and encouragement. Sharing information, asking questions, discovering options and more are done through the connections you make while moving withing the YES! framework. YES! is here to help or just to listen. Let YES! and those who have gone before you be your guide and your support.
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