OUR STORY
Young Women on the Move was founded in 2005 to teach middle school and high school girls the attitudes, behaviors, and skills necessary to lead a healthy life in every aspect. Its name symbolizes girls moving toward the future with healthy minds, bodies, and spirits that are focused on life’s possibilities.
YWOM serves middle school and high school aged youth in the Kansas City, Kansas Public School District and beyond. In 2022, approximately 1,500 youth have participated in YWOM in-school and after-school programs, including:
Love Notes evidence-based workshops focusing on the Success Sequence: set meaningful life goals, attain academic and career success, build a healthy and sustainable relationship and then have children
Young Women on the Move Membership: School-based after-school and summer groups led by trained facilitators with focus on self-identity, strengths discovery, and building a healthy life in all respects – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health; relationships, academic success, college and career preparation, and financial literacy. Activities engage youth in decision making, teamwork, personal accountability, build motivation, creativity, and hope.
Today, YWOM enjoys the school district’s full endorsement as its mentoring program for girls. YWOM believes in the power of true collaboration to collectively impact our communities. In 2022-2023, YWOM partners include:
KCK Youth Opportunities Collaborative (KU ThrYve, YWOM, Heartland 180, and KC United).
The Lyric Opera of Kansas City – 2022 and 2023 Summer Camps
Jack and Jill Foundation – Mentoring and Strengthening Families
Screen Sanity - START, Stand Together and Rethink Technology
Building Bridges KC, Behavioral & Mental Health Services
Madam President Camp - Leadership Training
Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA) - Personal Safety & Civic Engagement
Beloved Community Church - food pantry
We believe these girls are invaluable to our community
and it is our responsibility to ensure they have the opportunity to succeed
Our BOARD
Our dedicated Board of Directors has grown over the years, and we're proud of their commitment to empowering the young women in the Kansas City area, and helping spread our message throughout our community.
MARY BETH GENTRY
FOUNDER AND CEO
BOARD MEMBERS
Diana Moody, President New York Life Insurance
Wil Anderson, Vice President
BHC Civil Engineering
William Braddock, Treasurer
Community Volunteer, Retired Vice President, Farmers Insurance
Jimmy Gentry, Secretary
Community Volunteer, Retired Dean, KU School of Journalism and Mass Communications
Krystal McFeders
Public Information Officer, Unified Government of Wyandotte County, Kansas City, KS
Dawn Rattan
Everfit
Christal Watson
Executive Director, Foundation for Excellence, Kansas City Kansas Public Schools
Phyllis Crockett Barbosa
Administrative Assistant, Young Women on the Move
STAFF
Mary Beth Gentry
Founder and CEO
Jeanne Hayes
PhD Director of Programs
Phyllis Crockett Barbosa
Administrative Assistant and Love Notes Facilitator
Jeni Zimmer
Community Engagement Specialist
Asia Upton
Middle School Coordinator and Love Notes Facilitator
Francisco Banuelos
Love Notes Program Manager
Bill McNeal Facilities