The origins of YES! trace back to 2013, when PALS (Pretty Awesome Ladies) began as a supportive network for women caring for husbands or partners affected by young onset dementia. This group, initiated by Deborah Hanna, planted the initial seed that would eventually grow into a non-profit organization.
Recognizing the increasingly intricate challenges faced by these families as well as their own, YES! co-founders Deborah Hanna and Shannon Hammond were inspired to take action. In 2015, their vision and commitment fueled the planning group’s efforts, ultimately leading to the creation of YES! as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization exclusively dedicated to addressing the underserved needs of individuals and families affected by young onset dementia.
What began as a single monthly group meeting has grown into a nationwide online community. While our in-person meeting currently being hosted in Towson remains very active, our online community now encompasses a much larger network. YES! saw the need for more focused groups offered to a wider range of participants and met that need with exuberance.
YES! has tapped into the medical community in Maryland and across the country. Johns Hopkins neurological team has become our most active referral source referring 10-14 new cases per month. Website traffic has increased exponentially as well. Consequently, our service continues to grow to meet the needs of the community and a new idea was developed. The first annual Caregiver Wellness Retreat was held in 2023 and is in such demand that bi-annual retreats are being investigated. The Young Adult group bloomed with only 5 members in 2020 to serve over 50 since it’s inception. The education component has expanded as well with guest appearances promoting YES! and the work we do at the annual Expose Dementia Conference, Hilarity for Charity online community, Lorenzo’s House events and many more. YES! will continue to grow as the need arises, filling the gap in available resources for families suffering through young onset dementias.
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