Young Men’s Service League prepares teens for the future while strengthening bonds to last a lifetime.
by Amanda Lea
The Young Men’s Service League (YMSL) has a clear and powerful mission: bringing mothers and their teen sons together to serve their communities while fostering leadership skills. The national program is based on three pillars — service, learning and leadership — preparing young men to become compassionate, confident leaders through philanthropy, practical life lessons and leadership roles.
The nonprofit was founded in Texas in 2001 by Pam Rosener and has since grown to over 170 chapters nationwide. Kathy Cater, founder of the Charlotte chapter, was inspired to bring YMSL to her community after learning about it from her sister-in-law in Atlanta. “She continually shared her love for the organization and the time spent with her sons serving others,” Cater says. Eager to replicate this experience in her own community, Cater discussed the idea with other moms at one of her son’s basketball games. Within weeks, the idea took off.
The Charlotte chapter began in 2023 and operates in and around south Charlotte. The local chapter currently includes high-schoolers from Charlotte Latin, Myers Park, Providence and Providence Day schools. The organization has quickly become a powerful engine for local community service, Cater says. In the Charlotte chapter’s first year, 240 members contributed more than 3,100 volunteer hours at 22 local nonprofits, including Aldersgate Living, Alexander Youth Network, Common Heart, Nourish Up, Roof Above and Ronald McDonald House.
Amy Andrews has been involved in the Charlotte chapter of YMSL since day one. Her son, Ethan, is a senior in the program. “He’s always had a heart for service, but it’s not always easy to find opportunities that work with his interests and our family’s schedule,” Andrews says. “YMSL makes it easy to find organizations for Ethan to work with. It’s really a plug-and-play framework that pairs perfectly with their availability and interests.”
While the community-service component of YMSL is valuable, the program’s focus on leadership and life skills sets it apart. Meetings follow the national YMSL curriculum, incorporating lessons in responsibility, respect, integrity and community. Through workshops and guest speakers, the young men learn practical skills, such as changing a tire and basic self-defense, as well as how to manage relationships and prepare for college. “It’s about equipping them for life,” Andrews explains. “They’re learning how to be responsible, empathetic leaders.”
Cater has seen firsthand the transformation in her son and others. “At the beginning, many of the boys were nervous about speaking in front of their peers,” Cater says. “But after a year of volunteering and leading meetings, their confidence has skyrocketed. They’re starting to realize the difference they’re making and the bonds they’re creating, and it’s been incredible to witness their growth.”
YMSL has become a bridge between mothers and their sons during a phase of life where distance is natural, Cater says. “It spans that gap a bit. When you serve together, you grow together. The most rewarding part has been watching these young men discover what they’re capable of — and the conversations we can share along the way.”
For Andrews and Ethan, YMSL has become a chance for connection, growth and reflection.
The car rides to and from service events often provide the space for deeper discussion,” Andrews adds. “We talk about what we saw, how we felt, and how we can continue making a difference.”
Joyti Dhillon, a YMSL Charlotte chapter mom, says she has been excited to see her son’s confidence transform through volunteering. “At first, he was hesitant to approach people when we were fundraising, but by the end of the day, he was easily striking up conversations,” Dhillon says. “It’s a skill that will serve him well in college and beyond.”
Dhillon says she has also seen a trickle-down effect on her third-grade son. “He sees what his brothers are doing and learning through YMSL,” Dhillon says. “He already wants to follow in their footsteps.”
In addition to the young men’s meetings, there’s space for the moms to connect, too. “The women’s meetings we have throughout the year are a chance to sit in community together and discuss topics relevant to raising teen boys,” Andrews shares. “We’re also able to hear from our community partners and learn how we can best support them.”
Cater is excited to see the Charlotte chapter continue to thrive as the young men and their moms become more engaged with the community and with one another. “Our calendar this year has even more depth and variety than last year, so we know we will continue to flourish,” Cater says. “Within the next two years we will have four full classes, with 30 young men in each class, and a total of more than 240 moms and sons.”
For those looking to join YMSL, the chapter will open enrollment in spring 2025 — though spaces fill up fast. “We encourage others to start new chapters to continue to grow the reach of the organization,” Cater says. SP
