About YEAT UP Organization
Our Story
Helping Young People Discover Their Potential
YEAT UP Organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering children and youth through enrichment, education, life-skills development, mentorship, and community support. Our legal name, Youth Enrichment and Appetite Transformation Program, reflects the roots of where our work began.
Founded in 2023, YEAT UP originally launched with a strong focus on addressing childhood hunger and supporting the nutritional needs of children and families. As we worked more closely with the community, we recognized that young people needed more than access to food—they also needed safe spaces to learn, practical skills, academic encouragement, positive relationships, creative exploration, and opportunities to discover their potential.
As those needs became clearer, our work expanded beyond its original focus. Today, YEAT UP has grown into a whole-child youth-development organization, with YEAT UP Life Skills Studio providing hands-on programs and experiences designed to help young people build skills for school, home, their future, and everyday life.
Nutrition education, healthy food experiences, and meal support remain part of our roots and may continue to be incorporated into our programs and community initiatives—but our work now reaches far beyond food. Through enrichment, STEM and technology, creativity, environmental exploration, life-skills development, mentorship, and community experiences, we’re helping young people learn, explore, build confidence, develop practical skills, and discover what’s possible.
Hands-On Learning
Experiences that help young people explore interests, practice new skills, and learn by doing.
Real-World Ready Skills
Practical learning designed to build confidence and prepare youth for school, home, and everyday life.
Creative Discovery
Opportunities to explore STEM, technology, art, the environment, and new possibilities.
Community Connection
Programs and experiences that connect youth and families with mentors, educators, partners, and community resources.
The Goal
Our Mission
To empower children and youth through hands-on enrichment, practical life-skills education, mentorship, and supportive learning experiences that build confidence and prepare them for successful futures.
The Outlook
Our Vision
We envision communities where every young person has access to the skills, encouragement, resources, and opportunities needed to thrive.
Why Choose Yeat up
Our Whole-Child Approach
Confidence
Youth build confidence and independence by practicing skills, making choices, and learning through new activities.
Creativity
Youth explore creativity through art, design, making, and projects that encourage imagination and personal expression.
Leadership
Youth practice leadership through decision-making, communication, teamwork, and opportunities to guide others.
STEM
Youth explore STEM, AI, robotics, and science through projects that build curiosity, discovery, and applied skills.
Money Skills
Youth learn saving, spending, budgeting, needs versus wants, goal-setting, and ways to make responsible money choices.
Problem Solving
Youth strengthen problem-solving skills by testing ideas, making decisions, and learning through new practice.
Teamwork
Youth develop teamwork through shared projects, respectful communication, cooperation, and peer relationships.
20+
Founder & Executive Director
Utricia Randolph
Utricia Randolph brings more than 20 years of experience in education, youth development, and human services to her leadership of YEAT UP. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Springfield College, along with certifications supporting youth wellness, life skills, and safety. As Founder and Executive Director, she guides YEAT UP’s programs, partnerships, operations, and commitment to hands-on enrichment. Her leadership creates meaningful opportunities for youth to build confidence, discover their strengths, and develop skills for lifelong success.
- Founder & Visionary Leader
- B.S. in Human Services
- Champion for Youth & Families
Meet The Team
The People Behind the Purpose
Behind every YEAT UP experience is a team of educators, innovators, mentors, and community advocates committed to helping young people thrive. Together, we bring diverse expertise and a shared passion for creating meaningful opportunities that empower youth, support families, and strengthen communities.
Sheniqua Martin, M.Ed.
Sheniqua Martin brings 11+ years of experience in education, including seven years supporting students in special education. She holds a Master’s degree in Autism Spectrum Disorders and has earned recognition for excellence in teaching.
At YEAT UP, she leads Environmental Discovery and Homeschool Enrichment, with specialized support for autistic and neurodiverse learners.
Her expertise strengthens our ability to create inclusive, engaging experiences where children feel supported, confident, and empowered to grow.
Tyrone L. Dargins
Tyrone L. Dargins is a STEM educator and robotics mentor with extensive experience across education, technology, and creative media.
He teaches STEM Robotics and Project Lead The Way (PLTW) and expands access to emerging technology through TYLDAR Robotics.
At YEAT UP, he leads hands-on experiences in robotics, coding, AI, engineering, and creative problem-solving.
His expertise strengthens our ability to expose youth to future-ready skills and new pathways in technology, innovation, careers, and entrepreneurship.
Crystal Hamilton, M.S.
Crystal Hamilton is an experience and innovation strategist with expertise across UX design, service design, marketing, and digital transformation. She has designed digital experiences for Fortune 500 company FedEx and is Google UX Design certified, bringing a human-centered approach to improving how people interact with services, systems, and organizations.
She holds a M.S. in Innovation & Entrepreneurship from Full Sail University, strengthening her ability to connect experiences, business strategy, and innovation. Her work also explores AI innovation strategy for operations, using emerging technology to streamline workflows, improve decision-making, and create more efficient, scalable experiences.
At YEAT UP, she applies these strengths to expand reach, improve internal systems, strengthen community engagement, and connect underserved youth and families with meaningful opportunities.
Ashley Brown, M.S.
Ashley Brown is a communications professional with experience in media relations, strategic communications, journalism, and digital content.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Sam Houston State University and a master’s degree in Professional Communications and Digital Media from Texas Southern University.
At YEAT UP, Ashley provides communications and media support that strengthens public awareness and community connections. Her journalism and Aldine ISD experience help YEAT UP share its story, communicate its impact, and engage the communities it serves.
Beyond Enrichment
Why We're Different?
YEAT UP combines education, life skills, mentorship, and creativity into one engaging experience.
Rather than focusing on a single subject, our programs help children develop practical skills they can use every day—whether they’re learning to solve problems, work as a team, manage money, .
We believe the most meaningful learning happens through participation, discovery, and real-world experiences.
Stronger Connections
Our Community
Meaningful change happens when families, educators, volunteers, businesses, and community partners work together.
We’re proud to collaborate with schools, homeschool communities, nonprofits, churches, local organizations, and volunteers who share our commitment to helping young people succeed.
Together, we’re creating opportunities that inspire confidence, encourage curiosity, and prepare children for brighter futures.
Stay Connected With YEAT UP
Be the first to hear about new programs, upcoming events, enrollment opportunities, community resources, volunteer needs, and ways to get involved. Join our email community and stay connected to everything happening at YEAT UP.
Give Them More to Grow With
Help your child build confidence, explore new interests, and develop practical skills for school, home, and life through engaging, hands-on YEAT UP experiences.