Because of the extraordinary generosity, energy, and belief in YouthCare’s mission, our community came together in a powerful way at this year’s 40th Annual Luncheon. We are thrilled to share that we officially surpassed our fundraising goal of $300,000, an incredible reflection of what is possible when people choose to stand alongside young people experiencing homelessness.

During the program, our Interim CEO, Marty Hartman, shared a message that resonated deeply. At YouthCare, we believe in the simple yet profound act of showing up, not just for young people, but with them. For all youth who have been marginalized, those who have arrived here alone from across the world, or those aging out of systems of care with nowhere to go, your support ensures they do not have to navigate these hardships alone.

What This Means for YouthCare’s Future

The incredible support raised through this year’s luncheon strengthens YouthCare’s ability to continue evolving services to meet the urgent and changing needs of young people across Seattle. This includes deepening coordination across programs, increasing operational stability, and advancing our vision for more responsive and integrated resource navigation services through the Orion Center and beyond.

Currently, a young person in crisis on a weekend in Seattle has limited options and few safe places to turn. We are working toward a future where:

• There is no closed door and no “wrong time” to seek help.
• Youth can access mental and physical health care, case management, meals, and showers with consistency and trust.
• Basic needs from school supplies to haircuts are met with dignity and compassion.

As we look ahead, we are also strengthening the organization’s foundation to ensure we remain a consistent presence for our youth. By streamlining services and aligning resources to what matters most, we have reduced our budget while increasing accountability and transparency across the organization. We are working to bring nearly 100 offline beds back online so every young person has a safe place to sleep tonight, and we remain on track to complete the Constellation Center at Broadway and Pine, which will serve as a best-in-class Workforce Navigation Center connecting youth with long-term career pathways and economic opportunity.

As was shared at the luncheon, this is not just about buildings. It is about a young person walking through a door and finding safety instead of the street. It is about turning survival into stability, and stability into possibility.

Thank you to our community for showing up and reminding young people that they are worthy of safety, belonging, and a future filled with possibility.