In 1978, a pivotal moment in history unfolded when gay rights activist Harvey Milk addressed hundreds of thousands of LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies with his powerful "Hope Speech." Harvey urged those present to "break the silence" and come out to everyone they could. His words reverberated throughout the crowd, sparking a movement. We came out—first to friends and family, changing hearts to shift minds. Then we came out to society, demanding equal rights. 

But, nearly 40 years later, Schuylkill County had not made the strides many other parts of the country had. It was then that our founder, Mikaela, courageously began the process of coming out on behalf of our community. She organized the county's first-ever Pride Fest celebration, overcoming the challenges of Covid-19 restrictions and political opposition. Despite these hurdles, her vision came to life, uniting us as a community.

Following the success of our first Pride Fest, Y.E.S. (Youth Empowerment & Support) was founded to continue driving progress within the county. Our mission is to support the residents of Pennsylvania in their journey toward self-expression and acceptance. Y.E.S. is dedicated to raising visibility and awareness for the LGBTQIA+ community, working toward a safer, more inclusive future for our youth.