Young Entrepreneurs Society
Orange, MA

In response to the high unemployment in their isolated, rural region, youth from Orange, MA—where the per capita income is less than $14,000—created Young Entrepreneurs Society (YES) in 1998 to help local youth start their own businesses. These youth developed a business plan for the organization that won the 2002 National 4-H Council cooperative business plan competition, allowing them to implement their idea.

Now, YES works to assist young people in unlocking their potential through entrepreneurship, job readiness and financial education in the regions of rural western Massachusetts. Young Entrepreneurs Society accomplishes this through a number of initiatives, though the following four are the focus of their C4T grant:

• BizVenture -- an 80-hour program that can help youth learn how to start and operate businesses, develop job skills, and reach financial goals.
• Cyber Café -- A free after-school Internet cafe for teens, which often hosts workshops for youth provided by area social service agencies.
• TechVenture – a program that helps youth become more tech-savvy while learning how to start and operate tech businesses and explore tech careers.
• YES BizCenter – a youth-run business services center located in a storefront in downtown Orange.

In addition to these initiatives, YES members are also developing a music production studio for local youth.

Located in a region that just received DSL in 2003 and cable in 2004, YES applied to the Connections for Tomorrow grant program with a goal of integrating technology more fully into their existing programs.

C4T Grant Activities
With their C4T grant funds, YES members are now learning to use technology more effectively to meet their goals of entrepreneurship and job readiness. Youth use computers in the development of their business plans for online market research and financial analysis. They are able to create business cards, resumes and other tools that help market their businesses or assist in job placement. Youth can also attend workshops on basic computing, web design, graphic design, animation and computer repair—all valuable job skills. YES members are also using computer applications including graphic design and financial software to improve the management of their BizCenter.

Outcomes
At the mid-point of the grant period, YES has already achieved a number of significant outcomes as a result of their C4T funding.
• The Cyber Café has been open to youth 154 days with 148 individual teens attending 1109 times (an average of 7 per day).
• Three youth attending the Cyber Café have secured employment and are participating in job readiness training with a partner agency.
• One youth has received his GED.
• 8 youth have participated in the spring 2005 BizVenture program.
• 8 youth are involved in creating a music production studio and have helped to secure two sources of funds for the project.
• 8 youth participated in TechVenture during August 2005 by building computers, websites and using technology to strengthen their business planning.
• 14 youth are participating in YES’s Teen Website project
• YES has also used the C4T grant to leverage additional grants and revenues totaling over $20,000.

Additional Grant Funds
In addition to their primary cash grant, YES also received consulting support from C4T and participated in the program’s Access Fund. The consulting services have focused on assisting YES with the technology infrastructure in the Cyber Café and BizCenter. YES has worked with a local tech consultant to configure their computer network and server to ensure more effective service delivery for the organization. As part of the Access Fund, YES has purchased literacy software, scanner and adjustable furniture to create a wheelchair accessible computer station within their lab.