Young Men’s Service Organization of Dripping Springs

Shawn Wolff, a Dripping Springs mother, was concerned. Her son would soon be graduating from high school and she wanted to find a way to continue to spend time with him and help provide guidance as he moved off into his own life. When she heard about a group called the Young Men’s Service Organization, she knew she had found an answer.

Young Men’s Service League is a non-profit organization that encourages young men and their mothers to pursue philanthropic service in their community. The idea is that while working on the same service projects, a mom/son bond is strengthened. Wolff began a local chapter, and it quickly went on to affect other moms and their sons.

“Volunteering together as mom and son, is giving [my son] Hardrock a way to see his mom as another person, not just his mom,” Fay Garrett, also a Dripping Springs mother, said. Garrett is on the YMSL Publicity Committee, and her son, Hardrock is YMSL VP of Communications. “He loves our time together as son and mom, and time with the other YMSL members-- as we go out and make some changes in the world. Even if they are small, we are doing it all together through YMSL.”

The organization is very strong across the nation and especially in Texas with eleven chapters in the Austin area alone. Two years after its beginning in Dripping Springs, the organization is still going strong. 

YMSL extols itself as a learning experience for young men in the following areas:

• Social Skills- College planning and resumes, fraternity life, public speaking, 
• leadership training, job interviewing
• Making Choices- Goal setting, handling money/budgeting, legalities and consequences of drinking, smoking and drugs and the impact of these choices make on driving, sexual decision-making
• Health/Nutrition- Proper weight training and nutrition, steroid use education, skin care, mental health
• Life/Practical Skills- Career Fair, cooking, car maintenance, and laundry tips, outdoor survival skills, CPR, first aid.

As members, both moms and sons have responsibilities. There are two boards of directors, one of moms, and the other twelve boys. Monthly meetings are held, and various service philanthropies are discussed. Serving on committees helps the boys learn leadership skills that will help them later in life.

Some of the non-profits YMSL has helped are: Helping Hands, Hill country Senior Citizens Activity Center, Red Arena, Marbridge and most recently Service Dogs, Inc. 

For more information on the Young Men’s Service League see their website at:

ymsldrippingsprings.chapterweb.net