✨ About YTS
Youth Transformation Services® (YTS) NFP
Where Innovation Meets Impact
Youth Transformation Services® (YTS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving outcomes for all youth through mental wellness, game-based learning, and strategic education solutions that serve the whole child.
Founded in 2013, YTS didn’t start with a big budget or a polished website. We started with a passion — and a promise. From the beginning, our team showed up wherever young people gathered. Whether it was partnering with other youth organizations, hosting fashion shows to boost confidence, or supporting students through hands-on work at a local charter school, we were all in — sleeves rolled up, hearts wide open.
Today, YTS bridges the gap between emotional health, social equity, and academic success. Our work is grounded in evidence-based practices such as Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Game-based learning empowering students, families, and educators to heal and grow—together.
We believe that when schools, families, and communities align, transformation is possible.
What We Offer
JAW Zen Universe: A vibrant ecosystem where play meets peace. Students journey through Jump Anywhere in the World (JAW)—a SEL-driven video game—and engage in mindfulness practices through JAW Zen. Together, they support emotional regulation, social connection, and academic motivation in a fun, immersive format.
Educator Tools: Our JAW Zen Educator Hub provides teachers with a digital, easy-to-implement SEL curriculum, including weekly reflections, pre/post quizzes, and classroom activities designed to align with each level of the JAW game.
Teacher & Student Dashboards: Real-time classroom leaderboards, progress stats, and SEL celebration tools allow teachers to track engagement, reset goals, and recognize students for growth—academically and emotionally.
Community Partnerships: From downtown banners to school district collaborations, YTS is embedded in the heart of our community. Our visibility reflects our values—access, inclusion, and innovation for every learner.
With decades of combined experience in education, clinical care, and community outreach, we understand the complex challenges today’s youth face — and we meet them with compassion, creativity, and commitment.
Whether we’re developing game-based learning platforms, delivering SEL workshops, or building school partnerships, we lead with purpose. Everything we do is grounded in the belief that emotionally healthy, academically strong students build stronger communities.
YTS is rooted in a powerful legacy of educational technology, social-emotional learning, and youth mental health advocacy — and we’re just getting started. View our resources HERE
💡 Why We Lead
We lead because every young person deserves the tools, support, and opportunities to thrive — no matter their background or the challenges they face. At YTS, leadership isn’t about titles or positions. It’s about service, impact, and heart.
Our team is driven by lived experience and a deep understanding of the realities facing today’s youth — from academic setbacks to mental health struggles. We’ve witnessed what happens when systems fail… and we’ve also witnessed the transformation that’s possible when intentional support steps in.
We lead to close gaps in education, equity, and access.
We lead to create safe spaces where students feel seen, valued, and empowered.
We lead because the future depends on it — and so do our children.