From Newcomers to Board Members

Jul 9

How YPA Helped Us Call Augusta Home—and Launched YPerks

Almost exactly two years ago, Isaac and I walked into Cavalier’s Coffee in North Augusta for a morning networking event hosted by a group we’d never heard of: Young Professionals of Augusta (YPA). We didn’t know anyone in the organization. Truthfully, we didn’t know anyone in town—this was just day three of living in our new home of Augusta, Georgia.

That morning changed everything.

We made our very first friends in Augusta over coffee and conversation. We also discovered a welcoming network of peers and a full calendar of events focused on community engagement, professional development, and local business connections. As soon as we got home, we signed up for YPA memberships and never looked back.

Monthly meetings with local speakers, social gatherings, and more coffee dates at Cavalier’s quickly became a staple for us. Just six months in, both of us joined the YPA board.

Whenever our new friends outside of YPA asked what made the membership worth it, the answer was easy: meaningful friendships, local networking, leadership opportunities, and professional development lunch-and-learns.

But we also knew there was more potential to unlock.

Introducing YPerks: Local Discounts, Real Value

Every organization needs long-term goals—and for YPA, one of those stretch goals had been YPerks, a local discount program offering exclusive perks for members. The idea existed before the pandemic but never quite launched.

In Isaac’s role as co-membership chair, he made it his mission to help bring YPerks to life. And this spring, it officially launched.

Through YPerks, YPA members (and alumni!) now get access to special offers and discounts from a growing list of local favorites, including:

Augusta & Co.
Cavalier’s Coffeehouse
Dave & Buster’s
Lenox on 10th
Namaste Indian Food
Rooted Coffeehouse
Taj of India

👉 Click here to explore current YPerks benefits and alumni membership options.

We’re incredibly proud of how YPerks boosts visibility for small businesses in the Augusta area while delivering added value to YPA members. Whether it’s a free coffee upgrade or a discount on your next night out, these perks are just one more way we’re building community—one connection at a time.