The Youth Empowerment Initiatives (YEI), formerly the Youth Empowerment Ministries, is a para-church, Nonprofit organization established by called Christian ministers to respond to the problems of youth and young adults.  It was founded in 2005 as a result of the devastating plight of the Liberian youth due to the Liberian Civil crisis.

Over the past decades, the youth of Liberia have been forgotten, deserted, and manipulated.  It is sad that the youth, who form a greater percentage (58%)[1] of the Liberian population, have not been empowered with knowledge, skills, training, and opportunities for a productive living (85% unemployed youth).  Instead, this group of people has largely been used (manipulated) to fight, destroy, and create havoc to satisfy self-centered interests.

Due to this neglect of such a vital group in society, Liberia witnessed years of civil war, with a huge number of those taking arms being youth and young people.  Today, a very large number of this group is left without the requisite education, training, skills, attitudes, or employment. This has resulted in a growing number of disadvantaged youths turning to unwholesome practices which pose a great threat to society if intentional intervention is not given

YEI believes that had the youth not been neglected, and had they been provided empowerment through skills training, peaceful means of resolving conflicts, education, and gainful employment, the nation would not have witnessed the destruction, looting, killing, and division it went through.

This is true for all societies and young people around the globe. Hence, YEI is committed to working with youths in every society to address issues that affect them.

It is against this backdrop that YEI exists.

1. AIMS/OBJECTIVES

YEI aims to contribute to Liberia's restoration through programs geared toward empowering youth and young adults to realize their full potential.

Specific Objectives:

1. Build the capacity of youth through skills training and educational opportunities.
2. Increase access for out-of-school children toward their retention and completion of school at all levels;
3. Promote conflict resolution among youths through nonviolent means;
4. Inspire youths through recreational activities that will foster unity and cooperative learning among people;
5. Provide a platform for young people in which positive social interaction and key learning skills are fostered.

MISSION: To provide skills, training, and opportunities that empower children, youth, and young adults to experience their full potential and enable them meaningfully contribute to society.

VISION:

To see a society of equipped youth and young adults with skills rendering services to their communities and taking their rightful place in society.

MOTTO: “Planting Today’s Seed for Tomorrow’s Harvest”

OUR CORE VALUES: Honesty, Hard Work, Integrity, and Equality