YMSL Fosters Mother-Son Volunteerism and Leadership

Drew Bass, Erin Bass, Deborah Lichtenstein, Aaron Lichtenstein. It’s mid-May and while schools are winding down, the third year of the Young Men’s Service League (YMSL) is only just beginning. Thirty rising 9th grade boys and their moms are gathered at the Scarsdale Public Library for their first official meeting as members of the local lower Westchester County (LoWestCo) YMSL chapter. The meeting serves as an orientation to the growing chapter of the national nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering mother-son volunteerism and leadership.

Founded in Texas in 2001, YMSL has grown rapidly in more than 30 states. The organization is unique in its structure focusing on four pillars: service, leadership, learning and relationship-building. High school aged boys and their moms serve local philanthropies together, strengthening their bond, and make a meaningful impact in their community. Young men typically join the program as freshman and continue through their senior year of high school, logging volunteer hours with local nonprofits while holding grade-level leadership positions and attending meetings that include guest speakers and workshops.

LoWestCo’s growth reflects this area’s interest in service-based extracurriculars that promote civic engagement and family connection - especially valuable in today’s fast-paced world. This local chapter became the first in New York State when it launched two years ago in 2023. It started with a phone call between two moms - Erin Bass and Deborah Lichtenstein - friends since their oldest sons were in preschool at Westchester Reform Temple. Erin’s family had relocated to Nashville a few years prior and were planning to move back to Scarsdale. When she heard about the Nashville Chapter of YMSL she thought it could be a great way to transition her and her son back into the Scarsdale community. At the time, Deborah was finishing up her role as the Scarsdale Middle School PTA President and jumped in to help Erin recruit new members and host interest meetings before launching the following September.

Group of Moms and Young Men at Butler Cornerstone Community Center for Ultimate Gift“We started with close to sixty 9th and 10th grade boys just 2 years ago and are currently at 112 young men, 95 moms and four grades,” says Deborah. “The growth has been explosive.” In fact, when they started the organization many moms and sons were from Scarsdale and neighboring towns Larchmont and Mamaroneck and now, they have expanded to include Armonk, Harrison, and Irvington.

Class of 2026 and 2027 at banquet.
This past year, the chapter has served over 4,600 hours across 20 different organizations throughout Westchester and the Bronx. At least twice a week, YMSL LoWestCo sends a group of moms and sons to cook dinner or bake desserts at the Ronald McDonald house. Nearly every Saturday morning, a group of moms and sons show up to Grassroots grocery ready to help unload, bag and sort thousands of pounds of fresh produce and then help deliver to its partner food pantries. On Sunday mornings, you’ll find a group of young men shooting hoops and assisting the athletes in the Backyard Sports Cares program.
Moms and Young Men at Ronald McDonald House.
“It’s been so rewarding bringing LoWestCo to our community and volunteering alongside my son; watching him grow and discover which opportunities and commitments he feels drawn to the most,” said Erin Bass. Erin’s son, Drew, served as the Chapter’s first President –“YMSL has allowed me to not only foster a greater relationship with my community, but also with my mother and my peers as well. I’ve learned the importance of commitment and showing up and leading with a positive attitude.”

This past March, LoWestCo completed its first Ultimate Gift project, inspired by the book “The Ultimate Gift,” by Jim Stovall. Led by Mary Frances Duggan and her son Jack Levin, the organization set up two food pantries at The Butler Cornerstone Community Center in the Bronx- a location that had recently lost its state-funded food pantry.

Moms and Young Men at Ronald McDonald House“We fed over 260 families, distributed over 3,200 non perishable items, all collected through YMSL food drives, and handed out over 260 bags of Grassroots Grocery produce over the two pantries,” says member, Mary Frances Duggan.

At the end of each year, a banquet is held to celebrate the accomplishments as a chapter. On a Sunday evening in late April, over 120 high school boys and their moms gathered at Sam’s of Gedney Way to reflect on their year at YMSL, hand out awards, and ceremoniously pass the gavel to incoming grade level presidents.

This year’s 10th grade President, Aaron Lichtenstein, spoke fondly of his time leading his grade saying, “This role has taught me that leadership isn’t just about making decisions or leading meetings - it’s about giving your time, energy and support to others.”

This next year of YMSL brings excitement as new moms join the LoWestCo chapter board, the chapter’s slate rounds out the four grades and the first senior class graduates.

The chapter is excited to see member moms take on bigger roles in leadership; another sign of growth. Karen Hogan who joined in the inaugural class with her son, Tyler, will take the lead as President of the Chapter. “Since the first moment I heard about YMSL I knew it was something I’d love to be involved with. My son Tyler and I have had the good fortune to get involved in LoWestCo when the chapter was formed. Erin leaves big shoes to fill, but I am excited to help take our chapter to the next stage of our development, along with all of the members of our fantastic Board of Directors.”