Get inspired by ASAP Chess student, Yves!

To kick-off ASAP’s ASAP’s annual giving campaign, we recently sent out a letter to all of our friends and supporters profiling 12th grader Yves-Melsein Metellus and his journey from his native Haiti to the top ranks of Philly’s scholastic chess community. Yves’ story is one of perseverance and a testament to the powerful bonds that can help students find their way through challenging times.

Today we’d like to share additional excerpts from our interview with Yves to show how he is applying his experiences with ASAP Chess to make a difference for future generations of Philly youth as a member of ASAP’s inaugural Youth Advisory Board.

ASAP’s Youth Advisory Board

Borne from ASAP’s Racial Justice Committee, the Youth Advisory Board brings together a group of current ASAP students and alumni to work closely with ASAP’s staff and board of directors to enact programming and strategies to further the organization’s goals for racial equity and promote greater social-emotional well-being of ASAP students.

So Yves, tell us what made you interested in joining ASAP’s Youth Advisory Board?
“My first thought was: ‘That would be interesting.’ I saw they’re fighting for racial equity and I was really passionate about racial and social justice and what was going on in the country. I needed to take that opportunity to join and be the voice and represent people if I can.”
-Yves

Although still in its first year, Yves has been encouraged by what the Youth Advisory Board has accomplished so far. In October, students hosted a virtual Town Hall event with Philly Teen Vaxx to talk about the impact of the pandemic on young people and to share strategies on how to educate their peers about the available COVID-19 vaccines.

“It’s been great because we feel like we’ve been heard in some ways. We have a place where we can both represent people and express ourselves in ways that we probably couldn’t otherwise. It’s a safe place.”
-Yves

Did you know?

ASAP’s Youth Advisory Board is looking for new members! Do you know of a young person who would be interested in lending their voice?

Click here for application

And most recently, members of the Youth Advisory Board participated in community conversations concerning the search for the new Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia. Their input, along with the other participants, will be used ultimately to inform the new Superintendent’s job description.

Now a senior, Yves is in the middle of applying to colleges where he hopes to one day major in international relations. Before he moves on, he hopes to see the Youth Advisory Board pave the way for the next generation of kids just like him:

“There are kids who don’t have this opportunity (to play chess). Kids who wake up, go to school and then just go back home and don’t have the chance to make these connections or the chance to experience what I as a person experienced with chess; or how I matured as a chess player and a person. So if I can reach out to these kids, give them the same opportunity — that would be great.”
-Yves

In the meantime, Yves still has a chess title to defend and he is eager to return to the places that helped shape him:

“I don’t know how many events there is going to be this year, but I’m looking forward to that so I can basically reconnect with everyone. I’m sure we’re all excited to see that happen.”
-Yves

Stories and voices like Yves are important reminders that the potential of children in our city is limited only by the opportunities and support that are made available to them. So this giving season, we ask that you help ASAP give students throughout Philadelphia, students just like Yves, the after school opportunities and experiences they deserve.

To support ASAP’s work, please consider making a donation today!

Click here to donate to ASAP!

Click here for more ways to give!
Programs
Our Impact
Donate