About Us
Showcasing how strong, service-oriented military families contribute meaningfully to their new communities to benefit both their civilian peers and the organizations they support.
Welcome to YSR Connect - a new program designed specifically for military youth. YSR Connect (Youth Social Responsibility) is an innovative community program designed for students in grades 6 to 12, and their families, to volunteer together at nonprofit organizations around San Diego County.
Working in partnership with the Armed Services YMCA San Diego, the program aims to:
- Strengthen the military youth experience through personal development and leadership
- Assist youth in contributing to society through community service
- Create lasting relationships between like-minded peers
- Yield meaningful involvement in the greater community
- Serve as a conduit for military families to connect with and add value to the civilian communities in which they reside, helping to bridge the military-civilian divide
Program Impact
YSR Connect fosters growth across three key pillars:

Our Mission
Empowering Military Youth to Lead with Purpose
Our Values

Background
YSR (Youth Social Responsibility) was created to support the unique needs of military-connected youth and their families. Developed under 365 Connect, a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening communities through meaningful service and volunteer engagement, YSR combines leadership development, social responsibility, and hands-on community involvement to help young people thrive—no matter how often they move.
Military families navigate challenges that most civilians never experience. Children from military households relocate every 2-3 years, often memorizing 6-9 different addresses by the time they reach adulthood. Studies show that military-connected youth change schools three times more often than their civilian peers, disrupting friendships, academics, extracurricular involvement, and their sense of belonging.
With 80% of military dependents attending public schools, many struggle to feel rooted in their new environments. These transitions can contribute to academic disruption, social isolation, and reduced access to leadership or enrichment opportunities. A 2019, NIH study found that nearly 30% of military-connected youth experience emotional or behavioral challenges linked to deployment, family separation, or the stress of frequent moves.
YSR was built to meet these challenges head-on.
Through service learning, leadership opportunities, and community engagement, YSR provides military youth with stability, purpose, and connection. By participating in service projects, young people gain confidence, build friendships, and experience belonging—while making a meaningful impact in their community.

Meet Our Team
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Shayne Marquez
Director of Youth Social Responsibility
Shayne Marquez was born and raised in San Diego, California, and has always had a heart for building connections and giving back to her community. She earned her Master’s in Kinesiology, with a concentration in Sport Management, from Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU).
Shayne first volunteered with 365 Connect in 2020 and immediately connected with its mission to strengthen communities through purpose-driven partnerships. After several years working in event planning and corporate relations, she’s excited to return to the 365 Connect team, in her new role, as Director of Youth Programs and Corporate Partnerships, where she can combine her passion for people, purpose, and impact.
Email: shayne@365-connect.org
