Texas ranks among the top 10 states for school dropouts with an annual dropout rate of about 30%. Some dropout prevention programs are incorporating community service components as a means to counter the alienation and low self-esteem frequently seen among dropouts and at-risk students. Significant adults other than school personnel provide youth with linkages to a community's heritage and culture. The Youth Exchanging with Seniors Project (YES) is a pilot project designed to link youth with rural elderly through community-based service programs in 20 West Texas counties. With few human services available in this sparsely populated area, innovative grass-roots projects must be initiated to address the long-term care needs of aging frail elders. The group of age 60 and over comprises 15-23% of the population in 16 of these counties. YES proposes to organize members of 4-H and Future Homemakers of America. The project will provide the elderly with services such as housekeeping, yard and garden maintenance, minor home repair, grocery shopping, errands, and pet care. Participation in the project will give youth the opportunities to develop a better sense of self, meaningful social and community awareness, and positive attitudes toward the elderly. Project services also will help the frail elderly to maintain an independent living style. As a result, the YES project may provide a model for linking at-risk youth with significant adults through community service. (SV)