Youth Enrichment Services (YES) is serving hundreds of Boston kids and teenagers a taste of competitive running at two track locations this summer. The program, which supports low- to moderate-income children and teens from city neighborhoods, was launched as a ski program in 1968, but has grown over the last half-century to include outdoor activities like backpacking, canoeing, and track and field. 

“YES has looked at the opportunity to make their model of the ski and snowboard program work in the spring, summer, and fall and make it a year-round youth development organization,” said Bryan Van Dorpe, YES executive director. “I was here when we started the track program and to me, it was a very smart, logical step for YES to implement something year-round.” 

The track program is held at Moakley Park’s Saunders Stadium in South Boston and at English High in Jamaica Plain. Teens and kids in grades 1 through 8 practice from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. every Monday and Thursday in South Boston and every Tuesday and Wednesday in JP. The program teaches athletes the basic techniques and skills of track and field events while giving them the chance to participate in races and other competitions. 

Above, teens and kids get turns running laps at Moakley Park’s Saunders Stadium under the watchful eyes of volunteer coaches. Cassidy McNeeley photos

Michael Grasela, 33, is one of the program’s coaches. A former Fitchburg State runner, he’s been teaching city kids for 10 years now. “When I started there were probably 40-50 kids who were part of the track & field program and now we have waiting lists; that’s how crazy the growth has been,” said Grasela.  When athletes return year after year, Grasela and the other volunteer coaches see them becoming stronger athletes and contributing members of the community. 

“I watched one athlete and his brother go all the way up to 13, when they had to graduate from YES. We started working together and he ended up going to Bucknell University,” said Grasela. “He is still running there and has come back every year since he graduated from the program.” 

At YES, Boston youth form meaningful relationships with caring teens and adults who want to see them succeed. Because of this, it’s not unusual for YES kids to return to the track and field program after they graduate. Eventually, many come back as working role models for the next generation. 

“We just brought on close to 20 assistant track & field coaches and almost every single one of them grew up in our track & field program and were really excited to come back,” said Kristin Taylor, director of operations for YES. “The coaches were very excited to see the kids that they’ve coached in the YES program come back as assistant coaches.”

It is this bond between coaches and athletes that makes YES so special, says volunteer coach and YES parent Kai Harrison.

“Coaches here are mentors, and they can get to our kids like parents cannot,” she said. “The children see them as older friends so they open up more and become more comfortable with themselves.”

Khalid, 15, is an assistant coach. Photo by Cassidy McNeeley.

Coaches like current teen assistant coach Khalid are also great resources for the athletes. Since Khalid is just 15, he can connect with runners like Harrison’s 14-year-old son on a different level. The son is in his last season with the program, but she hopes he, too, will become a coach like Khalid.

“We’re going to get him on the track of being a teen volunteer. He absolutely loves it,” said Harrison, who has her own sprinting experience. “The confidence and gaining friendships; that has been the biggest thing.”

Harrison hasn’t just recognized the growth in her son, she has seen it in all the athletes who participate. She, like many of the coaches, believes YES is so impactful because it provides a safe space for athletes to try new things without the fear of failing.

She added: “Kids are forced to grow up a little bit too fast. This gives them a step back and just goes back into what it is to be a kid. To try things, to fall, to fail, to make mistakes, and get back up and start over again.” 

The community at YES was created by adults, but it has been strengthened by children. “It’s interesting to see throughout all the different backgrounds that the kids have such similar interests, and they see their similarities,” said Harrison. “As adults, we see the polarization of all the differences, these kids don’t see that at all. “That’s what I think is awesome. They come together, it’s a big melting part of what it should be. They don’t have all the differences or discrepancies; they’re here to learn, to have a good time.”

Kalli Catcott, another volunteer coach and YES parent, said the community is reflective of the “YESpectations” the nonprofit has set. This is a list of values including the golden rule; do your best to protect;, get knocked down, get up again; respect your leaders; and leave no trace.

“We rely on the YESspectations and values as things the kids can internalize to help them succeed in almost any sport or environment,” said the mother of two. “There’s plenty of kids who come who tell me they don’t like track and field, but they are still doing this program and hopefully can take some of those challenges and what they have achieved in track and field and use that in other parts of their life.”

Whether they are helping athletes run distance, sprint, or throw the javelin, volunteers are simultaneously shaping the future leaders of the city. Coach Katie Wakiyama, 26, who also coaches YES’ ski program, feels confident that Boston will be in good hands.

“These are the young foundations and kids of our city that I’m inspired by. Just knowing how great these kids are, and seeing their potential for the future makes me feel like Boston is in such great hands. I am constantly impressed by every YES kid that I work with.”

If you are interested in getting involved in YES as either a volunteer or participant visit yeskids.org.