How YMSL Marvin Is Strengthening Bonds and Building Future Leaders
By Firethorne neighbor Hetal Sethi, Class of 2029
Summer has a way of reminding us to slow down and be intentional with our time, especially with our kids. As high school years seem to pass faster with each season, many families are looking for ways to stay meaningfully connected during this important stage of life.
For the families featured on this month's cover, that connection is found through the Marvin Chapter of the Young Men's Service League (YMSL), an organization that brings mothers and sons together with a shared purpose: serving others while growing stronger together.
Since its founding in 2023, YMSL Marvin has quickly become a vibrant part of the local community, bringing together nearly 200 mothers and sons from Marvin, Waxhaw, Fort Mill, Ballantyne, Weddington and surrounding areas. As part of a national nonprofit organization, YMSL is rooted in a mission to support communities while developing leadership and life skills in young men. Designed as a four-year program that spans a young man's high school experience, it provides a consistent opportunity for families to stay engaged during some of the most formative years of growth.
In just two full years, along with its initial partial year in 2023, the chapter has already contributed more than 9,400 volunteer hours to the community. That impact reflects not only strong participation, but also a shared commitment among families to make a meaningful difference locally.
Throughout the year, members volunteer with a wide range of organizations, supporting causes such as food insecurity, housing, special needs programs, senior services and youth initiatives. The chapter partners with approximately 30 nonprofits, including Nourish Up, Beds for Kids, Common Heart, Miracle League, Autism After 18 and Second Harvest Food Bank. Each project offers an opportunity not only to give back, but to better understand the needs within our own community.
YMSL members participating in the Pineville Potato Drop, an annual community volunteer event organized by Pineville Neighbors Place. Hundreds of volunteers sort and bag tens of thousands of pounds of potatoes for distribution to regional food banks and agencies. Mothers and sons pictured: Elisabeth & Braden Ayres, Kim & Jason Vandenberg, Hetal & Niam Sethi, and Melissa, Matteo & Luca Curcio (Photo by Melinda de la Vega Photography).
What sets YMSL apart is its focus on serving together. Side-by-side, mothers and sons step outside of their daily routines and into meaningful experiences, packing meals, organizing donations, assisting local programs and connecting with those they serve. In those moments, conversations happen more naturally, shared perspectives grow and relationships deepen in ways that are often hard to create in the busyness of everyday life.
Beyond service, the program encourages young men to develop confidence, character and leadership skills that will stay with them long after high school. Through consistent involvement over those four years, they begin to see that leadership isn't about titles, it's about showing up, contributing and making a positive impact.
"My favorite philanthropy was volunteering at the community shelter. We served lunch and cleaned dishes during lunchtime. It was a fun experience because we got to work together to serve people in need and give back to the community. We got to prepare lunch too." Sean, Class of 2028, Marvin, NC
"Rice and Beans deeply impacted us. Supporting people facing homelessness in Charlotte has become CJ's favorite cause." Toni + CJ, Class of 2029, Marvin, NC
For many families, YMSL becomes something they didn't even realize they were looking for: a space to spend meaningful time together, a way to give back locally and a community that supports and inspires them along the way.
As these mothers and sons continue their journey, their impact extends far beyond the hours they serve. They are building habits of compassion, strengthening family bonds and shaping a generation of young men who understand the value of community.
To learn more about the Young Men's Service League and the Marvin Chapter, please visit ymsl.org or contact a local member for more information.
To recommend a family, please email Delia at ballantyne@strollmag.com.
This story appears in the July 2026 issue of Stroll Firethorne. Read the full edition here.