Official Trailer Released for Beyond the Box Documentary
Yes I Can Unity Through Music & Education is proud to announce the official trailer release for Beyond the Box, a short documentary following seven disabled creatives building careers in the entertainment industry. The film features filmmakers, musicians, photographers, and athletes across Southern California who are pursuing professional success not through token programs or surface-level inclusion, but through real mentorship, peer support, and their own persistent drive. Produced in collaboration with YIC, Beyond the Box is currently in post-production with a planned 2026 release and upcoming festival screenings.
Good Karma Rock'n Red Wine & Organic Coffee Now Available
Two delicious ways to support our mission. The Rock'n Red Blend from Raging Bull Vineyards ships directly to your door with all proceeds benefiting YIC programs, while our partnership with Has Beans Coffee Roasters in Chico, CA delivers organic Arabica coffee with 25% of net proceeds supporting our students' creative education.
Press Release: Yes I Can Unveils New Mission, Vision, and Values
New framework strengthens YIC’s role as a leader in advancing career opportunities and inclusive hiring practices: The board of directors for Yes I Can Unity Through Music & Education (YIC) are proud to announce its newly refined mission, vision and values. The updated framework reflects YIC’s continued commitment to empowering its participants and reshaping perceptions of talent and ability across society.
YIC partners with Apogee Travel to turn hotel stays into impact
New partnership allows travelers to get cash back, earn hotel points, and support Yes I Can Unity Through Music and Education at no extra cost! Yes I Can Unity Through Music and Education is proud to announce a partnership with Apogee Travel, the only hotel booking website that rewards travelers while supporting the causes they care about. Through this partnership, supporters can now give back to Yes I Can Unity Through Music and Education mission just by booking a hotel stay through Apogee, without spending a penny more.
Faces of the SCV: Lieberman said "Yes I Can" to his two passions
Saugus resident Bret Lieberman wanted to find work in the music business or try to teach. He came to a crossroads after receiving his bachelor's degree from CSU Northridge in 2000 — and chose to combine both passions into a career that would eventually become Yes I Can.
During World Autism Month Yes I Can Encourages Hiring of Neurodiverse Talent
As World Autism Month kicks off in April, Yes I Can Unity Through Music & Education (YIC), a nonprofit organization that provides career skills training and employment services to adults with disabilities, is calling on businesses to recognize the immense value of neurodiverse talent. With this year’s theme, “Celebrating Differences,” YIC is spotlighting how hiring individuals on the autism spectrum can bring innovation, creativity and dedication to the workplace…
Two employers honored for work with ‘Yes I Can’
As outgoing state Sen. Scott Wilk was wrapping up his Senate duties, he honored two local employers as part of National Disability Awareness Month. Laurent Jouvin, CEO of Migrate Sound in Valencia, took part in the Yes I Can Unity Through Music and Education (YIC) program to help provide career-skills training and employment services to individuals with disabilities. According to YIC officials, Jouvin made a big impact on students. “Employers who give individuals with disabilities the opportunity to work are not just offering a job,” said Carol Stevenson, a member of the YIC board of trustees. “They’re allowing people with diverse talents, perspectives and determination to turn their passion into paychecks. In this, everyone benefits.”
Yes I Can Honors Remo Inc., Migrate Sound
Yes I Can Unity Through Music & Education, a nonprofit organization that provides career-skills training and employment services to adults with disabilities, presented certificates of recognition to Remo Inc. and Migrate Sound for the commitment to creating career opportunities for neurodiverse talent. The recognition certificates, presented on behalf of California Senator Scott Wilk’s office, celebrate employers who lead by example in fostering inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. Through its collaboration with Yes I Can, Remo Inc. provided the opportunity for neurodiverse students to participate in paid internships…
Transforming Lives: Yes I Can Unity Through Music and Education Empowers Creatives with Disabilities
A unique approach to empowerment… YIC’s mission is to equip individuals with the necessary skills to secure careers within the entertainment industry, thereby earning a competitive wage. This is achieved through a comprehensive program that includes training in 21st-century career skills, networking opportunities, and career exploration through industry guest speaker sessions. The program also offers personal care and development training, vocational training support, and community-based career exploration and job shadowing through partnerships with entertainment industry corporations. This holistic approach ensures that participants are well-prepared for the demands and opportunities of the entertainment industry. Led by Board Members Executive Director Bret Lieberman, Deputy Director Kirsten Fitzpatrick, and Chief Financial Officer Tom Dvorak, YIC has found career employment for numerous individuals in just the last five years…
Good Karma brings music and careers to Santa Clarita
Music could be heard nearly a mile away, as the Santa Clarita Skate Park hosted the annual Good Karma Music & Arts Festival on Saturday, attended by over 3,000 guests. Put together for nearly a year by The Yes I Can Unity Through Music & Education, a Santa Clarita nonprofit, the festival was run primarily by creatives with disabilities who benefit from mentorship and hands-on experience to work in the entertainment industry...
Nearly 40 Yes I Can Students Receive Career Skills Certificate
Nearly 40 students received their Career Skills Certificate on Saturday morning from Yes I Can (YIC) after completing their career skills courses from College of the Canyons (COC). “We are honored to have students, parents, faculty, administration, industry professionals, local business partners and City officials here to celebrate with us here today,” said Director Lisa Pavik...
June 24: Yes I Can Career Skills Achievement Ceremony at COC
Proving that having a disability doesn't determine ability, nearly 40 individuals received Career Skills Certificates during a ceremony Saturday, June 24, at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons. During the ceremony, which took place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., participants in the Yes I Can Unity Through Music and Education program received certificates earned through the successful completion of career-skills courses offered by College of the Canyons' School of Personal and Professional Learning. Accomplished singer-songwriter, Adin Boyer, served as keynote speaker. A top contestant on American Idol, Boyer drew from his own experience as a creative living with autism…
Special needs students excel in SCIFF internship
The Santa Clarita International Film Festival (SCIFF) provided paid internship positions to 12 students with special needs, assigning them substantial roles in camera work, project management, marketing, budgets, artist relations, and submission critiques, rather than typical intern tasks. William Felber, one of the participants, found the experience helped him both professionally and personally, particularly in navigating social interactions through structured tasks. The festival staff maintained a supportive yet professional environment, and impressed with the interns' performance, SCIFF committed to continuing similar opportunities at future festivals…
Creating opportunities: Wilk honors LA North Studios for inclusion
Jake Arvizu smiled from ear to ear as he picked up a pen and signed his contract – securing his employment at LA North Studios following an internship. “I gotta say, it’s always been something new every time I come here and each time it’s always something good. So I’m very happy to be here,” said Arvizu after he signed. Arvizu, who is on the autism spectrum, had the opportunity to intern at LA North through a local nonprofit called Yes I Can. The team members at LA North were so impressed by his enthusiasm, strong worth ethic and determination, they felt as if they were the lucky ones to have him on their team…
Santa Clarita Film Studio Honored For Offering Opportunities To Those With Disabilities
On Thursday, LA North Studios in Santa Clarita presented a job offer of stage manager to intern Jake Avizzu, who has autism and landed the opportunity through local nonprofit Yes I Can. In celebration of National Disability Awareness Month, LA North Studios in Santa Clarita was honored for offering inclusive opportunities for those with disabilities, including Yes I Can Music and Education student Avvizu. Avvizu realized he wanted to work for the film industry after joining YIC…
YIC adapts to the virtual world with guest speaker sessions
When COVID-19 struck, Yes I Can Unity Through Music & Education (YIC), a nonprofit that prepares young adults with disabilities for entertainment industry careers, quickly pivoted to a virtual model. Under the leadership of Executive Director Bret Lieberman and Deputy Director Kirsten Fitzpatrick, this adaptation proved remarkably successful, opening new doors for their students. The organization now hosts weekly Zoom sessions featuring distinguished entertainment industry professionals, from Emmy Award-winning producers to animators and virtual reality creators. These interactive sessions allow students to witness real-time industry practices, with some participants even receiving opportunities for voiceover auditions. Building on this success, YIC is developing a podcast to share these valuable industry insights beyond their immediate program participants...
Perform at your best with Yes I Can
Since 2009, an innovative non-profit organization has been changing lives through the power of music and education. Yes I Can (YIC) Unity Through Music & Education, under the leadership of Executive Director Bret Lieberman, provides comprehensive vocational training for students with developmental disabilities who aspire to work in the music and entertainment industries. The organization's crown jewel is their involvement with the Summer Meltdown Art & Music Festival in Santa Clarita, where students put their newly-acquired skills into practice. With impressive partnerships including the GRAMMY Museum Foundation, Warner Bros., and Sony Music, YIC is building bridges to meaningful employment opportunities while fostering independence and self-advocacy skills in its students...