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What does a revolutionary look like? Sometimes she's a middle-aged woman with a quiet voice and a bit of youthful shyness she never quite outgrew. She carried a conviction she couldn't set down: too many people hear a sermon on Sunday and never act on it. What if the church followed the sermon with real help for people in need? It was a simple question, and it would change countless lives. Three successive pastors at her own church turned her down, and a large downtown church

Friends of Youth is delighted to launch our newly redesigned website, created with youth, young adults, and families at the center of the experience. The new site makes it easier to access information about our foster care, shelter, housing, caregiver support, behavioral health, and supportive services while providing a clear pathway to the resources and support people need. Our updated website also helps community partners, volunteers, and donors better understand our progra

At Friends of Youth, we believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed. Our newly adopted Theory of Change provides a clear framework for how we work alongside youth, young adults, and families to create lasting positive outcomes in our community. It articulates not only what we do, but why we do it and the impact we strive to achieve every day. As this framework will help guide our work into the future, we value the perspectives of those we serve and par

The young people and families we serve bring incredible resilience, strengths, and potential as they navigate challenges related to housing instability, behavioral health, and foster care. With a caring community beside them, they can build on those strengths, achieve their goals, and create brighter futures. You can be part of that journey. Join our Sparks of Change monthly giving network or make a one-time gift to help ensure youth, young adults, and families have access to

More than 20 students from Eastside Preparatory School recently spent a volunteer day at Friends of Youth, organizing storage areas that help provide essential items for youth, young adults, and families. What began as a hands-on service project quickly became a deeper lesson in how community support is received, sorted, organized, and transformed into practical care for people navigating challenging circumstances. Students worked together to sort donations, organize supplies

At Friends of Youth, we believe everyone deserves to experience safety, belonging, and opportunity. Yet we know that safety is not experienced equally. When harmful behaviors become normalized, and diverse communities continue to face discrimination, dehumanization, and attacks on their identities and rights, the impact is real, and it shapes how people experience their communities, relationships, and systems. Challenging the status quo means being willing to recognize these

When systems are built to solve a problem, the people closest to the pain are rarely invited to draw the blueprints. For a long time, regional decisions about homelessness were made by adults in offices who had never spent a night in a shelter. That dynamic shifted when six incredible young people who have stayed at our Willows Services Center stepped up to change the room itself. Four shelter guests and two recent graduates who are now permanently housed traveled to the head

At the heart of Foster Care Services are the youth we serve, and over the past several months we've had many reasons to celebrate. From welcoming new youth into our program to supporting youth through important transitions, we've continued to witness resilience, growth, and determination. We were especially excited to celebrate one youth beginning driver's education, an important milestone on the path toward independence. Thanks to our partnership with the Seattle Seahawks, a

💙 You don't have to do this alone. At Youth and Family Services (YFS), we understand that substance use affects the entire family. That's why we are proud to offer the Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) program, led by Stefanie Jaswal, SUDP, Family Navigator, and CRAFT Program Facilitator. CRAFT is an evidence-based program that empowers family members and loved ones with practical skills to improve communication, set healthy boundaries, reduce conflict, and

Strong communities are built through relationships, shared responsibility, and a commitment to ensuring that all young people and families have opportunities to thrive. At Friends of Youth, we recognize that supporting youth extends beyond providing services. It also means partnering with organizations that advocate, build connections, and help address needs that are often unseen. This quarter, we had the opportunity to participate in community events that reflected the power

Our community thrives because of the passionate, committed people who choose to serve it, and we’re excited to announce several open positions for individuals who want to be part of meaningful, mission-driven work. We’re looking for team members who believe in strengthening community connections, supporting local families, and helping create opportunities for everyone to succeed. Whether you’re an experienced professional or someone eager to grow your skills in a supportive e

This past Mother’s Day, many of the families we serve received a special reminder that they are seen, appreciated, and supported thanks to the generosity of Mimi Johnson and her church community. Together, they donated thoughtfully assembled Mother’s Day gift baskets that brought joy and encouragement to mothers and caregivers throughout our programs. Filled with care and intention, these baskets provided recipients with an opportunity to feel celebrated and valued. Acts of k

This month, we are proud to recognize Melanie for her outstanding volunteer service in our Donation Center. As our Basement Manager volunteer, Melanie consistently shows up with a positive attitude, a willingness to help, and a dedication to making our donation space the best it can be. Whether she is organizing inventory, tidying the space, or helping employees find needed items, Melanie approaches every task with enthusiasm and care. Her commitment has helped transform our

Community partnerships make a meaningful difference in the lives of the youth and families we serve, and we are grateful for the ongoing support of Cafe Veloce. Through their generous food donations, Cafe Veloce helps provide delicious meals and food items to youth, young people, and families facing difficult circumstances. Access to quality food offers more than nourishment; it provides comfort, stability, and a reminder that our community cares. Their generosity helps us st

Since February, Stefanie Jaswal, SUDP counselor, and Price Gass, MH therapist with YFS, have been teaching Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) skills to parents and caregivers of the youth and young adults we serve. The CRAFT program offers a structured, evidence-informed approach that empowers families to support change with compassion, practicality, and effectiveness. When someone struggles with substance use, the effects reach far beyond the individual, aff

Written by Jill Redling, Clinical Director of Foster Care Services Moments of crisis can create meaningful opportunities for connection and hope. I was reminded of this on a rainy day in June while visiting a foster caregiver’s home. During that time, I witnessed a youth who has faced incredibly complex, real-life challenges begin to navigate what it means to seek support and build trust, something that can feel unfamiliar after experiences shaped by inconsistency and instabi

This year’s Celebration of Youth was a vibrant, energy-filled evening that brought together community members, employees, and program participants in a shared space of connection, celebration, and reflection to champion the vital mission of Friends of Youth. The first Celebration of Youth event beautifully highlighted the magic that happens when we integrate our Homeless Youth Services (HYS) and Youth & Family Services (YFS), proving that housing stability and holistic wrapar

This spring, our community came together for Friends of Youth’s Celebration of Youth, an inspiring series of gatherings that demonstrated what is possible when people unite around young people. Hosted at Sparkman Cellars, this year’s event featured two focused evenings centered on youth experiencing homelessness, behavioral health, and foster care. Through powerful panel conversations, attendees heard directly from young people, caregivers, and employees, lifting up lived exp

Because of You, Change Happens As we close out our fiscal year, one thing is clear: this work doesn’t happen without you!  Every day, we meet youth, young adults, and families in some of the hardest moments of their lives - uncertain, overwhelmed, and often navigating systems alone. And every day, because of your partnership, we’re able to meet them with support, stability, and a path forward. You’re not just funding services… you’re creating turning points. What You Made Pos

Our three transitional living programs serving young adults and young families aged 18-24 are looking ahead to the summer months with much to celebrate! As we approach the end of the school year, we are celebrating several young individuals in our programs who have furthered their education this year. We are so proud to witness the young people we work with achieve their educational goals! This year, we have the privilege of celebrating two high school graduates who have demo