DeSoto Parish · Northwest Louisiana · East Texas

Investing in every child
in our corner of Louisiana.

YEP is a community-rooted youth enrichment program serving children and teens across DeSoto Parish, Northwest Louisiana, and neighboring East Texas. Through weekly enrichment, mentoring, life-skills activities, gardening, cooking, arts, academic support, and special events, we create meaningful opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and thrive close to home.

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Every Wednesday Night Community-wide youth enrichment
Preschool–Teens Ages we serve
Regional Northwest Louisiana & East Texas

Our Mission

YEP Company’s mission is to provide underserved youth in rural communities with safe, structured, and enriching opportunities that support academic growth, life skills, leadership, wellness, and positive community connection. Through tutoring, mentoring, youth events, summer enrichment, and practical life-skills programs, YEP helps children and teens discover their value, build confidence, and gain the tools they need to thrive in school, at home, and in life.

About YEP

A neighborhood-rooted answer
to a rural opportunity gap.

The Youth Enrichment Program (YEP) was founded to close the everyday distance between rural children and the experiences that help them thrive — academic support, creative expression, mentorship, and safe community spaces. Today, Y.E.P. serves young people from DeSoto Parish, Northwest Louisiana, and neighboring East Texas communities.

We meet young people where they are. Our programs are designed and led by neighbors, educators, and community elders who know each child by name. We focus on the fundamentals that change a life: literacy, confidence, character, and belonging.

Rooted local. Built with and for families across our rural service area.
No-cost access. Programs are free for the youth we serve.
Whole-child. Academic, creative, social-emotional, and life skills.
Trusted adults. Vetted volunteers and consistent mentors.

Programs

Year-round enrichment, built around rural life.

Programming is shaped by what our families ask for and what our young people need most. Every offering is free, locally led, and designed to be reachable for rural households.

Academic Enrichment

Reading, writing, and math support designed to meet rural learners where they are — including tutoring, homework help, and small-group instruction during the school year.

Mentorship

Caring, trained adults from the community walk alongside our youth — building confidence, modeling character, and listening when it matters.

Life Skills & Leadership

Hands-on learning in cooking, gardening, communication, financial basics, decision-making, and leadership — practical skills young people can carry into everyday life.

Creative Arts & Expression

Music, arts and crafts, drama, storytelling, and creative projects that give every child room to explore, create, and be celebrated for who they are.

Health & Wellness

Nutritious snacks at every gathering, movement and fitness time, and conversations about emotional well-being — building habits that last.

Family & Community

Family nights, community meals, and parent partnerships that wrap our young people in a network of trusted adults across generations.

What’s happening now

Community-Wide Youth Enrichment Every Wednesday Night · 6:00–7:30 PM

Y.E.P. now gathers children and teens every Wednesday night for hands-on enrichment, life skills, mentoring, gardening, cooking, arts, academic support, fellowship, and positive community connection. St. Luke Baptist Church in Logansport serves as the host church.

Our weekly program continues to grow, with seasonal events and expanded opportunities planned throughout the year. Follow our Facebook group for the latest photos, weekly activities, announcements, and updates from the youth.

Weekly Program: Every Wednesday · 6:00–7:30 PM
Who it's for: Preschool through teens across our service area
Cost to families: Free
What it includes: Life skills, gardening, cooking, arts, mentoring, academic support & meals

Follow Our Facebook Group Volunteer with us

YEP in action

Learning, creating, and growing together.

On September 23, 2026, Y.E.P. welcomed 25 youth and 12 adult volunteers for an evening of personal pizza making, gardening, arts and crafts, fellowship, and encouragement.

Video highlight

Personal pizza making in action

Watch our young chefs learn, create, and enjoy the results together during the September 23 Y.E.P. gathering.

Watch on Facebook

Y.E.P. teens preparing cups of soil and seeds during the gardening activity — Hands-on gardeningYouth prepared seed cups and learned how vegetables begin their journey from seed to table.

A young Y.E.P. participant concentrating on a wooden craft-stick project — Creative confidenceArts and crafts gave each child space to imagine, build, and solve problems independently.

A Y.E.P. adult helper displaying a freshly prepared personal pizza — Cooking togetherYoung people practiced a practical life skill by preparing their own personal pizzas.

Y.E.P. youth and adult helpers working together during the arts and crafts activity — Community support in actionTwelve adult volunteers encouraged, guided, and served 25 young people throughout the evening.

Two Y.E.P. teens working with prepared soil cups during the gardening lesson — Learning by doingGardening activities connect patience, responsibility, nutrition, and care for the community.

An adult Y.E.P. volunteer holding up a completed craft-stick project — All generations involvedCommunity volunteers shared their time and talents to make the activity welcoming and fun.

Young Y.E.P. participants enjoying personal pizzas and fellowship together — Food and fellowshipSharing a meal gives young people time to connect, laugh, and build a sense of belonging.

Y.E.P. children and teens gathered together during the September 23 program — A growing Y.E.P. familyChildren and teens of different ages came together for learning, creativity, friendship, and encouragement.

Adult Y.E.P. helpers guiding children through the personal pizza activity — Patient instructionAdult helpers worked alongside the children as they followed directions and prepared their pizzas.

Adult and teen Y.E.P. participants working together at a table filled with planted seed cups — Mentorship in actionYouth and adults worked side by side to prepare the many seed cups for the gardening project.

A young Y.E.P. participant proudly holding gardening supplies — Ready to growYoung participants took an active role in organizing the soil, seeds, and supplies for the lesson.

An adult Y.E.P. helper planting seeds in prepared soil cups — Preparing for the next stepVolunteers helped complete the planting work so the youth can watch, care for, and learn from what grows.

Two Y.E.P. adult volunteers working together in the kitchen — Serving behind the scenesOur adult helpers also prepared food and kept the evening running smoothly.

A Y.E.P. adult helper guiding younger children during the personal pizza activity — Learning a life skillHands-on cooking gave younger participants a chance to follow steps, make choices, and create something of their own.

A young Y.E.P. participant adding sauce to a personal pizza — Making it their ownEach child prepared a personal pizza and experienced the pride that comes with doing it themselves.

A Y.E.P. participant working independently on a hands-on project — Focused and engagedIndividual projects encouraged concentration, creativity, and confidence.

Rows of prepared seed cups and vegetable seed packets for the Y.E.P. gardening activity — Planting for the futureDozens of prepared cups show the scale of the youth gardening project and the learning still to come.

Opening night · September 16, 2026

A strong first night—and more growth ahead.

Our first weekly gathering welcomed 15 youth and eight teachers and support staff. Twenty guests enjoyed a hot meal, with plenty of cold water for everyone. The young people left excited, energized, and ready to return.

Youth and community members enjoying dinner at the first weekly YEP gathering — A welcoming first night Fifteen youth gathered in a safe, supportive space with teachers and community volunteers.

A young YEP participant seated in front of the Youth Enrichment Program banner — Safe spaces for youth Every gathering is designed to help young people learn, connect, and feel supported.

Youth and support staff posing together beside the YEP banner — Growing together Youth and trusted adults are building a stronger community one Wednesday at a time.

Young participants gathering around the YEP banner at the end of the evening — Excited for what comes next The kids left energized and already looking forward to the next week.

YEP teachers and support staff preparing for the weekly youth program — Community support in action Eight teachers and support staff helped make the first night welcoming and organized.

Support YEP

Your gift goes straight to a child
who needs to know we're here.

YEP runs on the generosity of neighbors, faith communities, foundations, and funders who believe rural children deserve every chance their city peers have. Every dollar stays close to home — supporting ongoing operations, youth programs, transportation, and capital needs that help us keep opportunities open for young people.

Gifts of any amount are appreciated in every category.

Ongoing Operations

Helps cover meals, supplies, insurance, administration, facilities, transportation, and other day-to-day needs.

Youth Programs

Supports tutoring, mentoring, cooking, gardening, arts, summer enrichment, field trips, and special youth events.

Van Capital Campaign

Moves YEP closer to purchasing a safe, dependable vehicle for youth transportation and community opportunities.

Custom Giving

Choose a specific purpose or make an unrestricted gift that can be used wherever the need is greatest.

Donate to YEP Talk to our Director

For Spark Good, foundation reviewers, and funders: contact us directly to confirm donation routing, sponsorship details, or current giving instructions.

Volunteers & community partners

It takes a community to raise a community.

YEP is powered by the people who live here. We welcome individuals, congregations, schools, civic clubs, small businesses, and regional partners who want to invest in rural youth alongside us.

Individuals

Volunteer your time

Mentor a young person, lead an activity, help with weekly or seasonal programs, support transportation, or share a skill that lights up a classroom.

Faith & civic groups

Partner with YEP

Co-host an enrichment night, sponsor meals, recruit volunteers from your membership, or open your space to community youth programming.

Schools & educators

Connect us with families

Help us reach the students who most need a second adult in their corner. We coordinate with teachers, counselors, and after-school staff.

Businesses & foundations

Sponsor a season

Underwrite a program track, sponsor a seasonal youth activity, or build a multi-year partnership that gives our young people predictability.

Ready to step in? We'd love to talk.

Contact Rosie W. Cason, Director

Contact

Let's talk about what's possible
for our young people.

Whether you're a funder, a future volunteer, a parent, or a neighbor with a good idea — we'd love to hear from you. YEP is led by people who answer when you call.

Executive Director

Rosie W. Cason

Executive Director, Youth Enrichment Program