THE HISTORY OF YEI

Here is our story.

“In the early days, we visited schools and other venues wearing mascot outfits

and gave interactive presentations. It was a fun and effective way to get kids’

attention in the classroom. The energy level of the kids went through the roof.

Entertainment was the key.”

YEI mascots at 2004 Dance Nationals Nationals in Columbus, Ohio

“For a successful initiative outside the classroom, we shifted gears in 2005 to

animation as the entertainment platform. It was a tall order to get kids to divert

from their fun on-line activities like gaming to websites about helping the planet.

The content had to be fun and interactive enough to get their interest. It was then

we realized that an entertainment-based platform was a must all the way

around.”

Sample of YEI’s animated e-comic with energy superheroes

YEI’s first generation animated energy superheroes (Galactic Energy Force)

“Between 2005 to 2010, YEI focused on animation, both super-heroes and villains,

to spread the message. YEI formed a partnership with the Art Institute of

California’s animation and sculpture programs. It was a win-win situation. The

students from the Art Institute created content to reach out to their younger

counterparts.”

Talented students from Art Institute of California working in YEI studio

“It was a great run, and we expanded our initiative into other states. We launched

a new website that was more interactive and representative of the animation we

were generating at the time.”

YEI website with animated characters

“The animation platform was very engaging to our young audience. However, the

costs for generating the animated content eventually exceeded the funding we

had available. We had to re-think our approach and live within our funding

means. It was a hard pill to swallow but a necessary one at the time. The platform

shifted back to volunteer visits to schools, which we continue to do. It is how we

started.”

Fast forward to 2023! YEI has relaunched using a new platform of entertainment.

This time around we focus our platform on engaging interactive media to reach

out to our nation’s youth. We brought in a super talented recording artist and

song writer, Lexi Gail, who has focused her career on health and environmental

betterment since a very young age. Lexi Gail is the cornerstone of what YEI

represents today. She is our direct connection to reaching out to our young

audience, both in person and in the digital realm.

“This is an exciting time, and the sky is the limit. We have the right platform for

today’s world, and it is exciting to work with other organizations that share our

vision.”

Marc Sabourin

Founder, Youth Energy Initiative