The YES Program helps students discover new interests, explore career possibilities, and build confidence. But for many students, the heart of the program is “Miss Mica.”
That’s the affectionate nickname they have for Ramica Chase, Program Director of Melwood Community Services’ Youth Enrichment Services (YES) Program. The response speaks volumes about the relationships Chase has built with students and families, and the supportive environment she has helped create.
Before joining Melwood, Chase worked as a career counselor at Job Corps, supporting at-risk youth and young adults with disabilities as they navigated important life transitions. The experience reinforced a passion that has guided her throughout her career: helping people recognize their potential and find pathways to success.
That same passion is what drew her to Melwood.
Inspired by the mission
“I was 16 when I first learned about Melwood,” Chase said. Her stepmother worked as direct support staff, helping adults with disabilities become more engaged in their communities and enjoy fuller, more independent lives. Inspired by Melwood’s mission from an early age, Chase always hoped to one day become part of the organization.
When the opportunity finally came, she saw it as more than a new job. It was a chance to join a mission she had admired for years and to dedicate herself to serving children, families, and underserved communities.
Building confidence and possibility
Through the YES Program, students are introduced to new experiences, career fields, and possibilities for their futures. For Chase, some of the most meaningful moments happen when students realize that the hobbies and interests they enjoy today could become careers tomorrow.
Whether students are learning about NASA, exploring science and technology, or discovering professions they never knew existed, she enjoys watching their confidence grow as their horizons expand.
For Chase, success is never about individual recognition.
“I don’t take pride in saying, ‘I did that,'” she said. “I say, ‘We did this,’ because it takes a village.”
That humility is one of the qualities colleagues most admire about Chase.
“Ramica creates meaningful connections with children and families by fostering a welcoming, supportive, and engaging environment where every child feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed,” said Emily Homer, Executive Director of Melwood Community Services. “One of her greatest strengths is helping young people see possibilities beyond their current circumstances. Through her leadership, YES provides a place where children feel a genuine sense of belonging while discovering their talents, building confidence, and expanding their vision for the future.”
Impact beyond the classroom
That philosophy shapes the way she approaches her work and her relationships with students and families. Sometimes the greatest reminders of the program’s impact come from unexpected moments, like the student who spends the entire year acting as though they don’t want much to do with her, only to be the first one asking for a hug on the last day.
Those moments remind Chase why she does the work. Every day, she helps young people discover new interests, connect more deeply with school, and see possibilities for their futures they may never have imagined.
And judging by the students who proudly call her “Miss Mica,” her impact extends far beyond the classroom.
