Timberline partners with Youth Enrichment Services on new facility

Jamaica Plain, MA Timberline Construction Corp. (Timberline) has partnered with Youth Enrichment Services (YES) on constructing a transformative three-story, 16,143 s/f headquarters facility at 267 Amory St. The Yawkey Youth Development Center will be a facility to enhance YES’s mission of empowering Boston youth through outdoor experiences and leadership programs.

The project is being led by VVA Project & Cost Managers serving as the owner’s project manager, EMBARC as the design architect and Timberline as the construction manager. Together, this team is delivering a facility that meets the needs of YES and the youth community they serve, while ensuring quality and efficiency throughout every phase of the project.

For more than 56 years, YES has been a cornerstone of youth development in Boston, introducing children and teens to activities such as skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing and biking. Founded in 1968 by the late Richard Williams, YES has empowered generations of young people with confidence, leadership skills, and a lifelong appreciation for outdoor experiences.

The new headquarters will feature innovative spaces tailored to meet YES’s needs. The first floor will include a ski shop, bike storage, lockers, winter equipment storage, as well as a rock-climbing wall. It will also serve as a central hub for early winter morning ski trips, hosting up to 130 youth at a time. The second floor is dedicated to administrative and operational spaces, with workstations, private offices, conference rooms, a staff lounge and kitchen. The third floor will include a 2,400 s/f multipurpose room, classrooms to support leadership workshops, college preparation and career exploration programs. The rooftop will be solar panel-ready, reflecting a commitment to sustainability.

“This new facility represents a bold step forward for Youth Enrichment Services and the thousands of young people it serves,” said Bryan Van Dorpe, executive director of YES. “With expanded space and resources, we will inspire even more Boston youth to explore outdoor adventures, while developing leadership skills to reach their full potential.”

Set to open in 2026, the Yawkey Youth Development Center will enable YES to serve over 2,000 youth annually within five years of operation, expanding its reach beyond the 1,200 children and teens it currently supports from neighborhoods like Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan and Jamaica Plain.

As a proud supporter of YES over the past few years, Timberline is honored to play a pivotal role in the development of this facility. “We are thrilled to collaborate with YES and the team to bring this inspiring project to life,” said Steve Wassersug, President of Timberline Construction Corp. “This space will be transformative for community impact and youth empowerment.” In addition to Timberline’s support, CEO, Steven P. Kelly’s Tenney Mountain also supports YES by hosting weekend ski days in the winter. 

The Capital Campaign for the Yawkey Youth Development Center has reached 60% of its $10.4 million fundraising goal, with additional funds expected from philanthropic contributions, public support, and the sale of YES’s current home in Boston’s South End. For more information visit https://yeskids.org. 

In addition to Timberline, VVA & EMBARC, the comprehensive project team includes BLW Engineers, H+O Structural Engineers and Kyle Zick Landscape Architecture, as well as The Compliance Mentor Group (TCMG) to engage and raise awareness of the AEC industry among youth in Boston.