Meet Jamene | Staff Spotlight

Love is an action—this is Jamene’s guiding principle when it comes to her work with Youth Emergency Services (YES). As the organization’s Street Outreach Lead, Jamene gets to show her love through action every day at YES’ Street Outreach Center.

The Center offers youth ages 16-25 the options to enjoy a hot meal, secure groceries, shop for clothing, take a shower, utilize laundry services, and/or find additional resources with the help of staff like Jamene.

At first glance, her role connects young people facing homelessness or enduring crises with the necessary resources to move toward a solution. However, closer inspection reveals Jamene’s concentrated effort to connect with the youth themselves.

“When you take the time to listen, you learn so much about someone’s story,” she reflects. “That kindness opens doors—it allows us to serve them better.”

For the Street Outreach Lead, impact isn’t just about meeting immediate needs; it’s about fostering long-term change. Whether she’s providing a meal, supplying clean clothes, or helping someone prepare for a job interview, Jamene’s first priority is always to create an atmosphere at the Center where young people feel supported and loved.

“If I can do anything to make someone’s life better, I’m going to be doing everything that I can,” she explains. “Seeing the youth come through here and hearing them laugh and be a teen is […] my ‘do it for them.’”

Through her work, she’s ensuring that every young person who comes to YES for help feels seen, heard, and, most importantly, loved. The best love—and the strongest impact—comes in many forms.

“It’s not just something one person or one organization has to do,” Jamene reminds readers. “We all can do something—whether that’s donating a meal, purchasing hygiene products, or volunteering your time—we can all contribute to changing the lives of youth for the better.”