about friends of youth
Since 1951, we have provided hope, community,
and opportunities for growth to young people in King County.
Friends of Youth is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation—ensuring quality, predictability and accountability of services through multiple layers of review every four years.
Our vision, mission, and values power our work together.
Our vision looks to the future we want to help create. Our mission states
why we exist and what we do. Our values are what we stand for, and aim to see expressed in every thing we say or do.


Friends of Youth envisions all youth having every opportunity to succeed.
We partner with youth and families to provide the relationships, resources, and skills they need to attain personal growth and success.
Accountability
We ensure fiscal and program accountability and exhibit the highest professional and ethical standards to all internal and external stakeholders.
Collaboration
We collaborate to improve outcomes for the individuals and families we serve.
Cultural Competence
Friends of Youth is committed to an inclusive movement toward empowerment and social justice by demonstrating respect of differences, advocating for social change, and providing access to culturally relevant services to meet the needs of all youth and families.
Quality
We strive to achieve the highest degree of quality in our services. One that is internally and externally validated and provided in a context of safety and confidentiality.
Relationships
Constructive relationships are essential to a fulfilled life. We seek a constructive relationship with the youth and families we serve and promote this in their lives.
Youth First
We consider the impact on youth
in every decision we make, while
utilizing the inherent strengths of
the individuals and communities
we serve.

our story
In 1950, a Washington resident named Iva Matsen saw the challenge faced by her community: not enough foster homes for young people. She and her partner joined with other members of their faith community—University Congregational Church—to take the critical step from concern to thoughtful action. In 1951, Friends of Youth was officially incorporated. To this day, members of the Matsen family continue to be active and involved in the organization. More than 70 years later, the Friends of Youth community continues to work toward a vision where all youth have every opportunity to succeed, and are supported through circumstances of foster care, homelessness, and behavioral health challenges.
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our community
leadership, board and employees
youth and families
donors, partners and supporters
We see leadership, board and employees as accountable stewards of the community: well-trained, trauma-informed, kind, mentor-focused—these are the characteristics we seek and foster. Friends of Youth is committed to continually providing a better environment for growth and evolution of team values.
We center the youth and families within our care at all times, no exceptions. Our doors are open and our resources are continuous for individual youth, young families, teens, single moms and children—providing a community of support.
We are honored to have a very generous community of donors, partners and supporters. These individuals have trusted Friends of Youth to continuously spend funds responsibly and with the best judgement. We are grateful for all they bring to leadership, board, employees, youth and families on a daily basis.
meet the board

Alex Lee
Chair
Auxano Advisors

Matt Adair
24 Hours of LeMons

Joe Boyer
Moss Adams

Chelsea Lientz
CTL Strategy

Wayne Teeger
StrikeZone Technologies

Kristin Reed
Vice Chair
ADP

David Beckerman
Sher Partners

Eugene Covington
Microsoft

Pete Lohr
Boeing
(Retired)

Karen Fassio
Secretary
Microsoft

Junior Bermeo
College Success Foundation

Paula Grassell
SEIU 775 Benefits Group

Wallace Njoroge
Amazon

Chris Sharp
Treasurer
Ernst & Young

Rhea Bhere
SCORE Greater Seattle

Vernell Kranz
Symetra

Shalini Thuppal Prakash
King County
meet the executive leadership team

Paul Lwali
Chief Executive Officer

Marla Rennie
Senior Executive Assistant

Patricia Charles-Heathers
Chief Operating Officer

Hala Nuemah
Chief Financial Officer

Terri Glaberson
Chief Risk and Compliance Officer
meet senior leadership

John Alvis
Manager of Facilities

Angela DeLaHoz
Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Eileen Schuetz
Manager of Volunteers
and In-Kind

Laura Blackett
Senior Manager of People Strategy and Innovation

Brooke Drennon
Senior Director, Youth and Family Services

Kim Boyce
Controller

Whitney Flores
Director of Learning and Development

Tori Cue
Director of Human Resources

Kathleen Miller
Director of Marketing and Communications