
Founding Principle
More Than Basketball: Building Generational Life Skills
Commitment to youth mentorship & guidance
Real-world financial & career curriculum
Empowering youth on the court, preparing them for life.
YES Jacksonville was created on a simple truth: sports draw young people together, but mentorship and practical life skills build their future. We turn the energy of basketball into a launchpad for lifelong confidence, financial independence, career readiness, and disciplined leadership.
Athletics as the Gateway
Engaging basketball clinics cultivate discipline, teamwork, and active listening skills that youth carry everywhere.
Financial & Real-World Literacy
Hands-on guidance covering personal credit, budgeting, homeownership awareness, and young entrepreneurship.
Career & Leadership Prep
Professional mock interviews, workplace etiquette, decision-making frameworks, and structured mentorship.
Community & Mentorship Circle
Direct access to Jacksonville leaders, educators, and relatable mentors who walk beside every participant.
"Our mission is not just to run great basketball drills—it is about exposing our youth to knowledge, mentors, and opportunities that change the trajectory of their lives."
Marshon Anderson
Program Director, YES Jacksonville
Our Pathway to Long-Term Success
Basketball brings young people through the door. Our four-phase curriculum equips them with real-world financial, career, and leadership readiness for life.
Athletic Engagement & Fundamentals
Youth enter through high-energy basketball camps and sports clinics where coaches establish trust, teamwork, and daily discipline.
Financial Literacy & Personal Habits
Workshops introduce practical personal finance, savings habits, credit fundamentals, and confident decision-making off the court.
Career Prep & Professional Mentorship
Participants partner with Jacksonville professionals for resume building, mock interviews, workplace etiquette, and trade exposure.
Civic Leadership & Independence
Graduating youth lead community initiatives, explore entrepreneurship, and mentor younger cohorts entering the program.
Ready to Start the Pathway?
Register a participant for upcoming sports camps or join our network of mentors and community partners in Jacksonville.
Voices of Impact Beyond the Court
See how our basketball camps, life-skills curriculum, and mentor partnerships help Jacksonville youth build confidence, character, and lifelong financial independence.
"I initially joined for the summer basketball tournament, but the financial workshops changed everything for me. I opened my first checking account, learned how credit scores work, and now I have a savings plan for college."
Marcus Jackson
Scholar
Jacksonville
"As a working mom, finding a safe, structured program that holds kids accountable was a blessing. The mentors did not just coach drills; they checked report cards, practiced job interview handshakes, and built my son's self-esteem."
Tasha Washington
Duval County
Jacksonville
"Students in my homeroom who attend YES Jacksonville show up to class organized and ready to lead. You can instantly tell who is in this program by how they handle peer conflict and carry themselves professionally."
David Sterling
School Educator
Jacksonville
"The coaches showed us that basketball is just the start. During the entrepreneurship track, I built a business plan for my own apparel line and pitched it in front of local Jacksonville business owners."
DeAndre Rivera
Summer League MVP
St. Johns
"YES Jacksonville bridged the gap between school and the real world. Our daughter learned public speaking skills and interview etiquette that helped her land her first paid summer internship."
Robert & Elena Torres
Youth Program Parents
Jacksonville
"Partnering with YES Jacksonville has brought tangible positive shifts to our campus culture. Their Saturday clinics and weekday check-ins give our young people reliable adult mentors they genuinely respect."
Principal Sandra Cole
Middle School Administrator
Duval
Ready to create your own success story?
Enroll in upcoming sports camps, life-readiness workshops, or become a community mentor in Jacksonville today.