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.
Rural DeSoto Parish, Louisiana
Investing in every child
in our corner of Louisiana.
YEP is a community-rooted youth enrichment program serving children and teens in rural DeSoto Parish and the Logansport area — neighborhoods where opportunity is often miles farther away than it should be. We bring learning, mentorship, and joyful experiences to where young people already live.
- July 8–10, 2026 Community-wide summer enrichment
- K–12 Ages we serve
- Rural DeSoto Parish & Logansport
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. In DeSoto Parish and around Logansport, those experiences are too often an hour's drive away, or simply out of reach.
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 rural DeSoto Parish families.
- 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.
Mentorship
Caring, trained adults from the community walk alongside our youth — building confidence, modeling character, and listening when it matters.
Life Skills & Leadership
Practical workshops on communication, financial basics, decision-making, and leadership — preparing students for the next step, whatever shape it takes.
Creative Arts & Play
Music, crafts, storytelling, and outdoor play 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.
Featured event
Community-Wide Summer Youth Enrichment July 8–10, 2026
Each summer, YEP hosts a three-day, community-wide enrichment event built around our local Vacation Bible School tradition — open to every child in the area, free of charge, and designed to feel like the highlight of the summer.
The event blends academic readiness activities, character and leadership building, creative arts, music, recreation, and shared meals. Volunteers from across DeSoto Parish and Logansport help us welcome hundreds of young people from across the community — including families who don't otherwise have access to structured summer programming.
Past youth events
A track record of showing up for local youth.
Since 2022, YEP and community partners have created safe, positive spaces for youth to gather, learn, play, worship, travel, and build confidence together. These moments reflect the community support that keeps the program moving.
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 — funding meals, materials, mentor training, and the doors that stay open for youth.
$50
Supplies one child for our summer enrichment event.
$250
Funds a week of mentorship and learning labs for a small group.
$1,000
Underwrites a full enrichment track from start to finish.
Custom
Foundation, congregational, and business sponsorships welcomed.
For Spark Good, foundation reviewers, and funders: contact us directly to confirm donation routing, fiscal sponsorship details, and 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 at our summer event, drive families to programming, 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 our summer event, 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, DirectorContact
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.
Program Director
Rosie W. Cason
Director, Youth Enrichment Program
DeSoto Parish & Logansport, Louisiana
For Spark Good submissions, grant inquiries, sponsorship details, and volunteer onboarding, please email info@yepcompany.net. We respond personally to every inquiry.