Program areas at Yamhill Enrichment Society
Junior Orchestra of Yamhill County (JOY) (formerly referred to as "Enriching Lives through Music, or ELM) is an intense orchestral program based on the international El Sistema movement offered to elementary students enrolled in public schools in Yamhill County. JOY provides all students at participating schools in kindergarten and first grade violins and teaching artists as part of their regular in school music curriculum. Students in second through fifth grade are offered the JOY Program as an after school optional program, and have the choice of learning Viola, Violin, or Cello. JOY works in collaboration with Newberg and McMinnville School districts, George Fox University, the Oregon Symphony, Willamette Valley Chamber Festival, and many other community members and organizations to bring high caliber, orchestral instruction opportunities to the youth of Yamhill County. As of the end of the 2022-2023 fiscal year, JOY had approximately 350 students participating in the program at three schools within Yamhill County. JOY also provided a one-week summer camp opportunity for students at Edwards Elementary, with an enrollment of 25 students. For the 2023-2024, JOY will expand to serve six elementary schools (approx. 650 students), with additional expansion plans in place. Additionally, JOY will add summer camps and honor programs for students up to Grade 8 throughout the year.
Bounty of Yamhill County is a program that celebrates the vibrant community of famous wineries, celebrated chefs and sustainable family farms of Yamhill County. The purpose is to make Yamhill County a national culinary destination and help build a healthy local food economy. Bounty of Yamhill County solely operated as a fundraiser in the last two fiscal years.
YES is the Yamhill County affiliate for the Dolly Parton Foundation's Imagination Library program. YES enrolls children birth through five, without charge or qualification other than residence in the county. Each child enrolled receives an age-appropriate book every month sent to their home. From July 2022 through June 2023, the Yamhill County Imagination Library sent books to an average of 2,500 children per month, with over 9,300 children served to date.