New Jersey Village Chapter of Young Men’s Service League Gives Families a Meaningful Way to Serve and Grow Together
What happens when teenage boys and their moms start volunteering together? In Jersey Village, it’s the start of something powerful.
The Young Men’s Service League (YMSL), a national nonprofit built around service, leadership, and life skills, has officially launched a new chapter in Jersey Village—and it’s already drawing local families who want something more from their high school years.
Chartered this August with 20 moms and sons, the new chapter is now welcoming additional members—but only for a short time. Enrollment closes August 29, and is open to mothers with sons in 9th or 10th grade.
For Allison Ray, chapter president, this isn’t just about racking up volunteer hours. It’s about connection.
“We are excited to see the impact this new chapter will have in Jersey Village,” Ray said. “Our goal is to instill a lifelong commitment to service in these young men while meeting real needs in our community.”
But there’s another benefit—one that’s often harder to come by in the teen years: meaningful time between a parent and child.
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A Rare Kind of Bonding Time
Founded in 2001, YMSL pairs mothers with their high school sons in a four-year program designed to deepen their relationship while giving back. From stocking food pantries to supporting special needs events, YMSL volunteers serve together—and learn alongside one another.
Members commit to at least 20 hours of service each year, half of which must be completed as a mother-son team. Beyond that, each teen holds a leadership role, attends structured meetings, and learns practical life skills along the way.
While YMSL now has nearly 200 chapters across 24 states, including Cypress and Cy-Fair, with over 32,000 active members and 2 million hours of service logged, this is Jersey Village’s very first.
And it’s arriving at a moment when research is showing just how valuable this kind of service can be—especially for teens.
According to a 2023 peer-reviewed study published in JAMA Network Open, teens who volunteer are significantly more likely to report excellent health, lower anxiety, and fewer behavioral problems. The study, which surveyed more than 50,000 children and adolescents nationwide, also found that teen volunteers were 66% more likely to be flourishing—a term that reflects overall well-being and emotional resilience.
Developmental psychologists have found that shared experiences between parents and adolescents—especially prosocial or community-focused activities—can support empathy, reduce household conflict, and build long-term relational trust. In other words, volunteering together doesn’t just help the community—it helps the relationship.
In an age of packed schedules, endless scrolling, and fleeting conversations dominated by phones and social media, YMSL offers something rare: quality time with purpose. It's a space where teenagers aren't just taught leadership—they live it. And they do it hand in hand with one of their greatest role models.
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How to Get Involved
YMSL is a sponsorship-based organization, meaning prospective members are typically referred by a current chapter family. However, the Jersey Village chapter encourages families without a sponsor to reach out for guidance.
The program runs through all four years of high school and includes annual banquets, rotating leadership positions, and curated opportunities to serve a wide range of local philanthropies.
If you're a mom with a rising 9th or 10th grade son—and you're looking for something more than carpools and chaos this school year—this may be it.
To learn more, visit chapters.ymsl.org/chapter/jerseyvillage or email vpmembershipYMSLJV@gmail.com.
Stay with My Neighborhood News for more inspiring stories, youth programs, and family service opportunities in Jersey Village and Northwest Houston.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
