Last week, we were thrilled to welcome Seattle Times food critic, Bethany Jean Clement, to YouthCare’s Orion Center. Bethany spoke to our long-time volunteer group, NE Seattle Moms, as they prepared their monthly meal: “barbecue-sauced chicken breast, ground beef, grilled peppers, a mix of black and refried beans, rice and tortillas for wrapping it up in, plus plenty of toppings and a side salad.”
As Craig Gibson, our Community Engagement Specialist told Bethany:
Providing hot, tasty food and a comfortable place to eat it is the first step, Gibson says, to earning the trust of young people who have not had many places in which to feel safe. From there, they can begin to explore the other services YouthCare offers — “kind of a buffet,” according to Gibson, who notes that helping can be a years-long process.