An organization that ran a home for young men released from correctional systems has decided to dissolve due to funding challenges.

Youth Enrichment Specialties, or YES, plans to close Aug. 31, interim executive director Tina Grumbo said. The nonprofit organization provides housing, comprehensive care and support for young men who have been released from the correctional system in order to help them re-enter society.

Grumbo said the residential facility had to close for several months last fall, though eventually it reopened. However, long-term funding challenges remained.

"The funding deficit was just too large," Grumbo said.

Grumbo became interim executive director of the organization in May, following former executive director and YES founder Joy Sorenson's retirement in April.

Grumbo was hired on a short-term contract in May, because the organization knew funding would be difficult even then. With rising prices, people weren't going to give $25 if that money needed to go toward food for the family, Grumbo said.

Four men, between the ages of 18 and 24, have lived in the YES House recently, but all four have found private housing or other non-profit groups to help them find housing, Grumbo said.

"All of the residents have moved on or will be moving on soon," she said.

YES plans to donate items from the house to other nonprofit organizations, such as Carrie's Kids and Operation Share. The sale of the house to another non-profit agency is pending, Grumbo said.

While she's confident other agencies provide similar services to YES to the community, Grumbo thinks there may still be a gap in coverage.

"I think there will be a void,"she said. "It's unfortunate to lose any nonprofit or charitable organization."

(Reach reporter Jenny Michael at 250-8225 or jenny.michael@bismarcktribune.com.)