about friends of youth
Since 1951, we have provided hope, community,
and opportunities for growth to young people in King County.
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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.
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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.
Equity
Friends of Youth is committed to
an inclusive movement toward empowerment and social justice by understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by youth, advocating for social change, and ensuring fair and equitable access to culturally relevant services that provide the best opportunities
for 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.
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
Ellen Boyer
Board Chair
Logic 20/20​
Junior Bermeo
College Success Foundation
Jeff Merrifield
Ernst & Young
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Yelena Stock
Zachor, Stock & Krepps, Inc., P.S.
Pete Lohr
​Vice Chair
Boeing (Retired)​
Rhea Bhere
SCORE Greater Seattle
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Arianna Morales
Student - University
of Washington
Shalini Thuppal Prakash
King County
David Beckerman
​Secretary
Sher Partners​
Joe Boyer
Moss Adams
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Monica Negrila
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Brady Ruck
Treasurer
​Kindering​​
Themba Dayton
​HUB International
Chris Sharp
Ernst & Young
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meet the executive leadership team
Paul Lwali
Chief Executive Officer
Hala Nuemah
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Terri Glaberson
Chief Administrative
Officer
meet senior leadership
Porscha Anderson
Director of Homeless Youth Services, Housing and
Support Services
Tori Cue
Senior Director of Human Resources
Cyprian Mbugua
Senior Director
of Facilities
Yvonne-Monique Aviva
Senior Director of Residential and
Foster Care Services
Angela De La Hoz
Senior Director
of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Courtney Murray
Director of Risk and Compliance
Kim Boyce
Controller
Brooke Drennon
Senior Director, Youth and Family Services
Modou Nyang
Senior Director Homeless Youth Services
Christina Campos
Clinical Director of Youth and Family Services
Whitney Flores
Director of Learning and Development
Noehly Tzintzun
Director of Residential and
Foster Care Services