Forming a Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills chapter of the Young Men’s Service League, started earlier this year, has brought about 175 Hinsdale-area high school boys and their moms together for a very worthy cause.

The mission of the group is to assist, serve and support those who are in need in the community, develop leadership skills and promote mother-son relationships.

“There are groups for moms and daughters, dads and daughters, fathers and sons,” said Heather Jashnani, the group’s president. “But there is a lack of opportunities for moms and sons to develop a meaningful bond during their high school years, with all of the demands on their time.”

Jashnani said she did an internet search for “moms and sons volunteering together near me” and was directed to the Naperville chapter of Young Men’s Service League. She loved the group’s mission, but realized that chances of getting into that chapter, via a lottery system that’s used if there are too many applicants, was small.

“I thought I could bring this to Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills instead,” she said. “It is very similar to a mother-daughter organization we participate in, so it seemed manageable.”

Jashnani reached out to some people she knew, who helped and recommended others, and the group was on its way to becoming a reality.

Young Men’s Service League has a “class” for each high school grade level. When starting the local chapter, there was an overwhelming interest from young men and their moms to be part of it. In this inaugural year, there are 92 high school boys, mostly coming from Hinsdale Central, Nazareth Academy and Benet Academy — and 83 moms.

The group serves about 20 local philanthropies, among them People’s Resource Center, Sharing Connections, The Birches Assisted Living, The Ronald McDonald House and Special Olympics.

The young men involved have their own regular meetings at which they practice the league’s values of community, integrity, responsibility and respect, while also learning valuable leadership and life skills, including financial literacy and basic vehicle maintenance.

“I enjoy many parts of the Young Men’s Service League, including helping people in need and making new friends,” said member Teddy Hunley, a high school freshman and the vice president of communications. “I decided to join because I thought it would be a great way to build an even stronger bond with my mom. Volunteering together helps us appreciate the limited time we have together, while serving others inside and outside of our community.”

Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Young Men’s Service League members Nolan Korn, left, and Mason Wolfe participate in a recent cleanup day at Fullersburg Woods in Oak Brook. (Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills YMSL)

Henry O’Hara, president of the Hinsdale league’s Class of 2027, said he became involved after already having volunteered at his church’s food pantry.

“YMSL allowed me to volunteer at other places, and it was all organized in advance, so I did not have to reach out to each organization and set it up,” he said, “So, this summer I completed 20 hours at Sharing Connections, People’s Resource Center, The Hansen Center and with Special Olympics.”

O’Hara said he worked all 20 hours with his mom and with friends from the league at the events.

“Unlike my church’s food pantry, I was working closely with those in need at these other organizations,” he said.

When the moms have their own meetings, they share ideas and welcome local guest speakers.

“I have done a lot of service work throughout my life, and it has always helped me feel good about myself, even if I was having a hard time in other parts of my life,” said mom Michelle Carlevato, who is the groups’ vice president. She has four sons — three in high school and one in fifth grade, and she wanted to share that positive feeling of service work with them.

“There is so much pressure on kids these days with academics, sports and friends, and I think being exposed to volunteer experiences in our greater community can really help put things in perspective,” Carlevato said. “Also, there are so many opportunities for dads and sons to do things together, and moms are often the nagging voice telling them to do their homework. YMSL gives me the opportunity to give back to our community, right alongside my sons. They get to see a side of me they never see at home, and that has strengthened our relationship.” Jashnani has found her involvement with the group very fulfilling.

“I love so many things about this group,” she said. “Like YMSL nationals says, ‘Four years of high school go by fast, how will you and your son make the most of it?’

“This is me making the most of it with my youngest child. I am proud to have brought this to the community, so encouraged by the response from our members and the philanthropies we serve, and so grateful to be able to spend this quality time with my son, opening his eyes to the needs of others.”

Jashnani also has enjoyed seeing other moms and sons enjoying working together for good causes.

“Every member seems to want a similar experience with their son(s) and puts in the work to make it happen,” she said. “I am in awe of each and every mom on our board, who have all brought their amazing skills to every aspect of us starting this club. And volunteering at these organizations, it’s just a good feeling of giving back.”

Jashnani the immediate goal of the Hinsdale group in its inaugural year is to better understand the ins and outs of the organization, “as we are learning as we are going.”

“So far, the interest in YMSL has been so amazing, and our ultimate goal is to be a welcoming organization that provides moms and sons with meaningful opportunities to volunteer together, strengthen the mother/son bond and give back to our community,” she said.

Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/20/hinsdale-moms-sons-service-league/