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Last month, Friends of Youth welcomed community members to our Kirkland campus for a very special occasion—the ribbon cutting ceremony for Bridge Pointe , an innovative housing program designed for young adults, ages 18 to 24, transitioning from inpatient behavioral health treatment. This event marked three months of operating our first Bridge Pointe house and celebrated the upcoming opening of our second home as we look ahead to 2026. The ceremony brought together local lea

Food is more than nourishment—it’s memory, dignity, and hope . For Sam, his first holiday without a home could have been unbearably lonely. But at Friends of Youth’s Willows Young Adult Shelter, the warmth of shared meals and laughter in the kitchen made him feel seen. Sweet treats from the farmers’ market weren’t just snacks—they were moments of belonging.  Sam lived at Willows for ten months. Living with a disability made employment difficult, and navigating benefits felt o

This year, our community came together in an extraordinary way to support the Friends of Youth Giving Tree—and because of you, more than 300 young people and families  will experience a brighter, more joyful holiday season. Each tag selected, each gift purchased, and each act of kindness reflected the heart of a community that believes every young person and family deserves to feel seen, supported, and celebrated. Your generosity did more than fulfill wish lists —it reminde

At Friends of Youth, we believe community grows stronger when people have space to gather, connect, and care for one another. Recently, we were honored to open our Kirkland Youth Services Center (KYSC) administration office's large conference room to community partners for two meaningful events, each rooted in collaboration, equity, and shared purpose. We were grateful to host Eastside Pathways for their recent gathering event that brought together regional leaders and par

This month, Friends of Youth hosted our first End-of-Year Celebration at Novelty Hill – Januik Winery , bringing together community members, partners, and supporters to reflect, reconnect, and recommit to the work ahead. It was a joyful evening before the holidays, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us. During the evening, we shared the challenges young people are facing today and shared our vision of a future where every Friends of Youth young person and fam

The DBT team at Friends of Youth is excited to share that our next Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Class will begin in early January 2026, and enrollment is now open! This structured, evidence-based program is designed to support teens navigating emotional regulation, relationship challenges, impulsive reactions, and/or intense mood changes. DBT skills are taught in a strengths-based, trauma-informed way that helps build resilience, improve communication, and suppor

November is National Youth Homelessness Awareness Month, and this past November, we were proud to partner once again with Burgermaster and YouthCare for the second annual Your Change, Their Chance Round-Up Campaign. Throughout the month, Burgermaster guests were invited to round up their order total to support local youth experiencing homelessness in our communities . Every cent raised went directly to Friends of Youth and YouthCare, helping provide safe housing, counseling

Friends of Youth has officially opened Bridge Pointe Housing, a healing place for young adults, 18 - 24, transitioning from inpatient treatment.      On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Friends of Youth hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Bridge Pointe Housing with honored guests and speakers including, Friends of Youth President and CEO, Paul Lwali; Friends of Youth Senior Director of Youth and Family Services, Brooke Drennon; Friends of Youth Senior Director of Homeless Youth Se

As summer ends and students prepare for the new school year, we’re reminded that readiness goes beyond just school supplies. Mental and...

Youth and young adults are heading back to school this month, and we are asking for school supplies, hygiene items, and snacks to get...

We are honoring over 20 years of unwavering support from the Joshua P. Williams Foundation .   Though this year marks the final chapter,...

Equity and inclusion live in our daily choices, our relationships, and the way we show up for one another .   Across our community,...

We are thrilled to celebrate NW Children’s Foundation for their continued partnership and commitment to young people in our community .  ...

At this year’s Celebration of Youth Foster Care event, Autumn Liner-Sanders took home our raffle prize, two Diamond Club Mariners...

This September, we join communities around the world in recognizing Suicide Prevention Month, World Suicide Prevention Day, and National...

Washington state recently passed SB 5009 , a new law that modernizes the state’s funding formulas for student transportation . As of...

We’re working on improving our website, and your voice matters most. As a valued member of our community, your experience helps guide our...

The U.S. experienced many changes and challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic that shook the globe, but one unanticipated consequence was...

We’re thrilled to share that the results are in from our recent  Community Feedback Survey!   At Friends of Youth, we believe that the...

Love being outdoors? We’re looking for volunteers to help with garden maintenance at Howard House Home ! It’s a great way to give back...