Media Coverage

Washington State Must Help, Not Arrest Sex Trafficked, Homeless Minors

Under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), any person under the age of 18 who performs a commercial sex act is considered a victim of human trafficking, regardless of force, fraud, or coercion. Washington State is currently in violation of federal law: the state continues to arrest and charge minors for prostitution, even though… Read More of “Washington State Must Help, Not Arrest Sex Trafficked, Homeless Minors”

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Seattle Times Food Critic Inspired by Orion’s Cooking

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,… Read More of “Seattle Times Food Critic Inspired by Orion’s Cooking”

Pearl Jam Pledges $1.3 million to Ending Youth Homelessness

YouthCare was honored to host A Way Home Washington’s launch of the Anchor Community Initiative yesterday at YouthCare’s Orion Center. We heard powerful personal stories from two young people, Azia and Roel, as well as inspiring remarks from Jim Theofelis, First Lady Trudi Inslee, State Senator Maureen Walsh, and many others. More than one hundred… Read More of “Pearl Jam Pledges $1.3 million to Ending Youth Homelessness”

Q&A About LGBTQ+ Homeless Youth

Erin Chapman-Smith, YouthCare’s Director of Over-18 Housing Services, recently spoke to a reporter from the Washington State Wire about the unique challenges faced by homeless LGBTQ+ youth and YouthCare’s work to support them. “Some of the unique challenges that that population faces are that often folks are kicked out of their homes for their identity.… Read More of “Q&A About LGBTQ+ Homeless Youth”

YouthCare’s Casa de los Amigos Program Impacted by Family Separation Policy

YouthCare’s Casa de los Amigos Program (Casa) is a twenty-bed shelter for unaccompanied, undocumented youth ages 12-17. Casa is supported by the Division of Unaccompanied Minors at the Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The majority of Casa’s youth are fleeing war, gang violence, human trafficking, and extreme poverty. They arrive at Casa de los Amigos alone,… Read More of “YouthCare’s Casa de los Amigos Program Impacted by Family Separation Policy”

No, Youth Don’t Choose to Live Outside

“Just because youth are sleeping outside doesn’t mean they prefer to live there,” writes YouthCare’s CEO, Melinda Giovengo, in this Op-Ed to the Seattle Times. “That’s a false dichotomy. It means they were put in the impossible situation of choosing themselves over their family. Or abandoning their partner, because there’s no couples’ shelter. Or their… Read More of “No, Youth Don’t Choose to Live Outside”

YouthCare Partners with UW on the Doorway Project

YouthCare is excited to announce a new partnership with the University of Washington and the statewide Office of Homeless Youth called the Doorway Project. This partnership aims to streamline services for young people in the University District and well as create a neighborhood hub and navigation center specifically for homeless young people. “We know what works to stabilize… Read More of “YouthCare Partners with UW on the Doorway Project”

YouthCare Selected as Partner in Oak View Group’s Proposal to Renovate Key Arena

YouthCare was honored to be present as the Mayor and City of Seattle announced that Oak View Group’s (OVG) proposal had been selected to redevelop Seattle’s beloved Key Arena. As OVG considered how to include community investments in their plan, YouthCare was invited in as an essential partner. While the fine details are part of… Read More of “YouthCare Selected as Partner in Oak View Group’s Proposal to Renovate Key Arena”

When it Comes to Teen Prostitution, How Much Suffering is Too Much?

“Some people seem willing to argue about what number represents an acceptable level of suffering that society is willing to tolerate,” write Justice Bobbe Bridge, Deborah Boyer, and YouthCare’s CEO, Melinda Givengo in this Seattle Times Op-ed. “Our answer is none. There is no minimum number of kids who must be exploited for us to… Read More of “When it Comes to Teen Prostitution, How Much Suffering is Too Much?”

YouthBuild Hosts Press Conference for Priority Hire Ordinance

Graduates from YouthCare’s YouthBuild Program spoke at Mayor Murray’s press conference today regarding the City’s new Priority Hire Ordinance. The legislation requires contractors to prioritize hiring women, low-income residents, and residents of color for city construction projects. It also increases existing requirements for contractors to hire apprentices and introduces requirements for hiring graduates from local pre-apprentice… Read More of “YouthBuild Hosts Press Conference for Priority Hire Ordinance”