Founded in May 2024 by Darlene Riley, MSW, LICSW, Yes We Can Community Services, Inc. (YWCCS) was born from over 30 years of unwavering commitment to children and families involved in the child welfare system. As the founder and Executive Director, Darlene’s lifelong dedication to advocacy, healing, and equity has guided every step of the organization’s development. ​ YWCCS was established to meet the urgent and often overlooked needs of families and children in out-of-home placements, especially within Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. Through her extensive work in child welfare, Darlene witnessed firsthand the emotional, cultural, and systemic gaps in support that continue to impact vulnerable families. This insight became the catalyst for building a community-based agency focused on family preservation, trauma healing, and mental health. ​ What began as a vision grounded in compassion and lived experience has grown into a multifaceted organization offering services that address trauma, behavioral health, and community safety. YWCCS is committed to providing culturally responsive care, bridging systemic gaps, and uplifting voices too often left unheard. ​ Today, YWCCS continues to expand its programming to include kinship care support, mental health case management, healing-centered engagement, and youth empowerment and strengthening families and fostering resilience throughout BIPOC communities across Minnesota.