After 30 years of unique and life-changing programs, YFI is once again in the process of renewal as it seeks to re-calibrate itself to serving new populations in ways today’s young people find relevant and impactful.
Experience YFI in unique, hands-on public health, education, medical, leadership, and sports initiatives designed to both maximize high school and college students' potential as young leaders and create sustainable improvements in communities where they have their YFI experience.
Doug Neal
Parent of a Serve, Learn & Empower student in Ghana
OUR MISSION.
Youth Futures International is dedicated to empowering and preparing children, youth, and young adults to shape their future with confidence and purpose. Through our diverse educational and experiential programs in sports, leadership, community service, the arts, public health, and medicine, we aim to unlock and maximize the full potential of young individuals. By fostering personal growth and development throughout our unique programs, we create a platform for forging a lifelong network of peers for support and friendship. Our ultimate goal is to equip young people with the skills and inspiration needed to become impactful, successful, and compassionate leaders who have a positive influence in their immediate communities and beyond.
YFI, a 501 (c)(3) non profit organization, originally came to life in 1994 as "The Safe Haven Project" by hosting summer camp programs for youth diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. As time progressed, the organization expanded its HIV/AIDS programming to Ghana. In 2009, The Safe Haven Project was rebranded as Youth Futures International and in 2010 YFI launched its first "Serve, Learn, & Empower" program focusing on relevant public health issues in Dominase, Ghana. YFI has since added soccer and baseball programs that focus on leadership through sportsmanship and enjoyed a very successful run of its "Ultimate Med Immersion” program for those interested in healthcare careers. YFI will continue adding new programs and expanding its current programs to new locations in years to come.
DAVE BUTLER.
Executive Director
KERRI STAHLY.
Board President
JEREMY YELICH.
Executive Program Director
ZOE BAYLIN.
Executive Program Director - Ghana
BE INSPIRED.
DISCOVER THE WORLD AND YOURSELF.
Being out in the world is an amazing feeling. Experiencing new cultures is eye-opening. It affects a change in our students as they challenge and discover more about themselves in ways they could not possibly imagine before experiencing a YFI program.
BRING THE WORLD BACK HOME.
Regardless of the program or its location, our students bring their amazing experience home. They may be a bit more mature, more compassionate towards others. Or they may have more confidence in themselves and a better sense of direction in where they want their lives to lead. However they've grown personally, their experience further shapes them and stays with them wherever they go.
UMI / SERVE & LEARN.
Ghana: Accra, Cape Coast, Dominase-Abeadze
May 24 - June 6, 2025
July 6-19, 2025
Vietnam (coming for 2026)
Youth Futures International, Inc.
“Youth Futures International”, “Ultimate Med Internship”, and “Ultimate Med Immersion” are registered service marks of Youth Futures International, Inc. through the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Tel: +1 (413) 658-0224
Tel: (888) 212-7727
6 University Drive, Suite 206-181
Amherst, Massachusetts 01002 USA
Youth Futures International is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization registered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
