Defining a “YEZ”


A Youth Enterprise Zone - or “YEZ” - is what we call any place, facility or event dedicated toward youth empowerment. Our mission is to consolidate Mineola’s talent and resources to create more Youth Enterprise Zones in a city hungry for opportunity.

Its what we do.

  • Wood County Mural Project

    Part beatification, part tourism campaign, Flint & Steel is putting together the pieces of a spray paint mural installation stretching across the county highlighting our community, culture, individuality, and history.

  • The GRIND Program

    The Power of Purposeful Play! “The GRIND” is a curriculum designed to teach important skate skills and important life skills simultaneously. The program is open to all MMS, MHS, and Mineola homeschool students.

  • Multiclass Gaming Club

    Hosted by MHS graphic design teacher Aaron Cavitt, Multiclass is a hub for everything “geek.” The group of high schoolers and young adults meet weekly to play an array of tabletop games ranging from D&D to Go Fish.

  • Mineola Community Skatepark

    First established in 2008, the community skatepark on the corner of Stone and Front St. has been a partner of Flint & Steel since August 2020. With parking, new ramps, and 24/hr lighting, the park is a resource available to any age at any time.

  • femPOWERed Girls Club

    The Girls Club is an opportunity for adolescent girls to come together, feel empowered, build strength, and increase self-confidence and courage. The group is a collaborative effort with Clover Educational Consulting Group and the Mineola Middle School.

  • Tuesday Knights Chess Club

    Tuesday Knights is a weekly youth and family Chess Club started by beloved Coach Larry Yates. The group provides tournament-size boards and pieces, tournament clocks, and even offers weekly lessons.

  • Let's Grow! Promise of Peace Gardening Club

    Every day we grow farther and farther away from knowing where our food comes from. The goal of Let’s Grow is to create opportunities for green thumbs around the community to come together and also produce good food for our neighbors.

  • FrisBEASTS Disc Golf Club

    Our newest addition is the BMX group. We’re still shaping it out, come help us figure it out!

  • In The Works: A.R.T. House

    A.R.T. House is a multipurpose creator space with three main focuses: physical art, digital production, and music. Our dream is to build a community center for today’s youth, outfitted with the equipment of their generation.