VISION Friends of Youth envisions all youth having every opportunity to succeed. MISSION We deliver a broad range of services to youth and their families to improve their emotional stability and self-sufficiency .
Our Work Friends of Youth provides services to at-risk youth and homeless young people at 25 sites with services in 18 cities, primarily in east King County. With 65 years of experience and national accreditation, we provide safe places and emotional support for youth in challenging circumstances. In FY 2016, Friends of Youth served over 4,000 youth and their families through our three core program areas.
Our Work: Three Core Program Areas Child Welfare Services • Therapeutic residential services, including foster care and emergency shelter care, to youth under age 18 and extended foster care to 21. Homeless Youth Services • Street outreach, drop in, overnight shelter, individual case management, employment , education and housing programs for homeless youth and young adults throughout East and North King County and South Snohomish County. Youth & Family Services • Mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, home visiting, school-based prevention education and parenting programs in Issaquah, Snoqualmie and Riverview School District communities.
Child Welfare Services Residential Group Care • McEachern, Matsen, & Colin Ferguson • New Roads Renton • New Roads Kingsgate Foster Care Services (Therapeutic & Regular) • 4 Agency owned homes (Renton, Kirkland, Everett & Bellevue) • Multiple community based homes • 16 Federal youth; 8 State youth Youth Haven Shelter • Up to 12 youth, ages 7 – 18 • 8 Runaway and Homeless Youth • 4 Foster Youth
Homeless Youth — An Eastside Reality In FY 16 Friends of Youth served 2,077 youth & young adults in our homeless programs. Homeless youth come from every zip code; not one of them was homeless by real choice. Residents at our New Ground Sand Point Transitional Housing Program for Pregnant and Parenting Moms 18-21. Continuing Needs for Homeless Youth: • A Strong Continuum of Crisis Response Services — Shelter, Drop In and Outreach • Additional Housing • Efficient Use of Scarce Resources • Partnership with our Community
Homeless Youth Services We Provide Outreach & Drop In Mobile Outreach to 16 Cities Drop in services in Redmond Specialized Case Management Support Safe Place Emergency Shelter Youth Haven (Under 18) The Landing (18-24 Young Adults) Housing New Ground Single Young Adult Housing New Ground Family Housing Supportive Housing Rental Assistance Rapid Rehousing Services: Mental Health & SUD Treatment Employment Education
Homeless Youth Services Map New Ground Everett Supported Housing (16 units) (Snohomish County) Located at Francis Village New Ground Bothell (In collaboration with Imagine Housing) The Landing Emergency Shelter Drop In Center New Ground Avondale Park New Ground Kirkland (In collaboration with HopeLink) New Ground Sandpoint New Ground Totem Lake (16-21) Youth Haven Home (under 18) Supported Housing (1 Unit) Located YWCA Family Village, Issaquah (In collaboration with the YWCA) Street/Mobile Outreach (16 Cities)
Youth and Family Services 3 School District Communities: Snoqualmie Office Issaquah Office Services: • Substance Abuse Services • Mental Health Counseling • Parent Education • School-Based Services/Prevention • Healthy Start Home Visiting Duvall Office
Mental Health & Substance Abuse Support Out of school services : Families and Youth can access all of our services at our office in Duvall Families & Youth will soon be able to also access services at the Evergreen Clinic; co- locating behavioral and physical health care in one location In School Services : • Check and Connect • Funded by our MIDD grant; supports middle level kids @ risk of academic failure • Thanks in part to funds raised at our annual breakfast (although that does not cover the cost of our services and support): • Cedarcrest Counseling • Riverview Learning Center The Vision for the Future: • A Behavioral Health Counselor in every school, beginning with elementary school; .5 FTE
A Snapshot: Mental Health Counseling Reasons youth connected with us for services: 65% - Depression 40% - Anxiety 37% - Co-occurring drug abuse/mental health issues Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Sexual abuse Child abuse/neglect Divorce issues Family conflict/dysfunction
A Snapshot: SUD Treatment Alcohol - 1st drug of choice • Marijuana - 2nd drug of choice • Stimulants (cocaine and • amphetamines) - 3rd drug of choice 55% of youth have mental health • issues 40% of youth have criminal • justice involvement Our original office in Duvall ~ 2003
Our Commitment to Kids We are committed to ensuring that all of our students receive: High Quality Services Master’s level therapists, trained to work with youth, particularly adolescents Easy Access Behavioral health services happen where students need it — whether at school, our office or at the local clinic No waiting lists for mental health and substance abuse counseling, counselors who are ready to listen when students are ready to talk Early Intervention Prevention services — We are committed to working with youth to navigate life, teaching children as early as possible how to be ‘behaviorally healthy’.
Emerging Trends and Issues-Behavioral Health Challenges: Heroin and Opioid Use • Has skyrocketed in the last decade Lack of Behavioral Health Support in Schools • 2 Attempted suicides in schools we serve this year; 2 completed last year • Offering mental health services to students during school hours is central to our philosophy of providing low-barrier, easily accessible support. Solutions: Best Start for Kids Mental Health Counselor in Every School Additional CD Support Photo taken by Shelter Client 2012 Art Therapy Project “A Day in the Life‘”
Emerging Trends and Issues — Homeless Youth Challenges: Need continues We saw same # homeless youth year/year. Running away is not a thrill, it is a rendezvous with fear, cold, isolation, dirt, and vulnerability. Homeless young families (under 24) account for more than 30% of all family homelessness in King County. Resident at our New Ground Bothell Transitional Housing Program for Pregnant and Parenting Moms 18-21. Solutions: • Support for families before a crisis occurs — parenting classes, counseling, support • “Just in Time” homelessness prevention support— BSK allocation • Commitment to Education and Employment • Increased Access to Affordable Housing & Developmentally Appropriate Services
Cause for Hope “Empathy is not simply a matter of trying to imagine what others are going through, but having the will to muster enough courage to do something about it. In a way, empathy is predicated upon hope.” ~Cornell West • Best Starts for Kids • State Office of Homeless Youth • MIDD Renewal • Investments in Early Learning • Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Children and Families
Partnering With Riverview Schools Project 360 Education at schools; partnering with KSARC & funded by a grant through HHS OVW YFS Breakfasts Donations to support school day counseling Outreach and Advocacy Shelter Cards Safe Place Sharing the Stories of Our Work Grants — MIDD Renewal & BSK New Grants In-Kind Support Drives for our Youth: School Supplies, Hygiene Kits Snack Pack Move In Kits
Thank You! On behalf of the young people who rely on our services, thank you for partnering with us, for kids! Resident of New Ground Bothell, Transitional Housing for Homeless Moms 18-21 and their babies.
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