Help Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Thank you—and to Microsoft as a whole—for caring about young people experiencing homelessness. In the midst of a deadly pandemic, it helps to know we are not in this alone. COVID-19 has profoundly impacted our communities, businesses, families, and daily lives, particularly our BIPOC community members. Our hearts go out to those affected.

YouthCare serves some of our community’s most vulnerable young people. We cannot shut down—now, more than ever, young people need safety, shelter, food, and loving care. Click here to learn about how we have adjusted our services for young people. If there is one thing we know for sure: your support is vital. See below for how you can help right now!

Virtual Volunteer Opportunities

Please note:

Join us for an afternoon of hope & inspiration. October 9: YouthCare’s 35th Annual Virtual Luncheon!

2019 Luncheon

RSVP to Let us know now that you’re excited to join us on October 9th for YouthCare’s annual virtual luncheon! Sign up on your own or volunteer to be a “table captain” and commit to inviting others to join as well. This is an hour-long event, and as always, we’ll have incredible stories of transformation and would love to save you a seat! Register here

Provide a Meal for Youth! @ Non-Contact Delivery or Virtual

Orion Kitchen - Exec Team Cooking

Deliver a warm meal to youth staying in one of our shelters or housing programs! As self-isolation at YouthCare has been a priority, food demands have gone up significantly. Cook a meal or order delivery to be dropped off at one of our programs (non-contact delivery, of course). All you have to do is look at this calendar and sign up for a shift that works for you!

Host a School Supply Drive

girl on laptop

As classrooms continue to be virtual, we’re working hard to provide youth with tools to stay connected to their education.

One particular need is hardware: tablets, laptops, headphones, speakers, chargers, USB drives, etc. Go to aka.ms/give to learn about options for matching employee donations of product purchased at Microsoft retail stores!

You can also donate school supplies off our wish list! Our staff are finding creative ways to engage youth amidst unique barriers brought on by COVID-19 and you can join us in supporting the educational goals of young people!

Get Crafty: Make Fleece Blankets! @ Remote

blankets.jpg

Help youth stay warm with homemade no-sew blankets! This is a fun and creative way to help youth. These blankets will get lots of love in the apartment a young person just moved into, in one of our shelters, or anywhere where youth can snuggle up and feel its warmth. You can volunteer on your own time and make these blankets anywhere! Pick out some fun (youth-appropriate) fleece and a pair of scissors! We recommend this YouTube video and this step-by-step guide for easy instructions. We need twin-sized or queen-sized blankets the most! See below for delivery instructions of your finished blankets.

Masks

Be “Sew” Helpful!

YouthCare is in need of 250 face masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 among staff and youth at all of our sites! Click here to find instructions! See below for delivery instructions of your finished masks!

Mobilize your Network!

couple fundraising on phone

It just takes a few clicks to volunteer & fundraise for YouthCare! Host your own online fundraiser for YouthCare and invite your family and friends to support youth experiencing homelessness – click here to get started or launch your own Facebook fundraiser!

Peer-to-peer fundraising is a fun and easy way for individuals, corporations, and groups to support YouthCare programs and make an impact. You design the campaign: birthdays, events, a marathon—possibilities are endless!

All time spent on any of these opportunities can be matched by Microsoft as volunteer hours! Submit all volunteer hour match requests via aka.ms/give.

Other ways to help!

Make a gift to support youth and frontline staff through this crisis. In times like these, youth experiencing homelessness need shelter and care more than ever. Submit all match requests for monetary donations via aka.ms/give.

Connect with us! We’re all in this together. Follow YouthCare on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to witness acts of courage and inspiration. You can also sign up for our e-news here.

NEED TO DELIVER DONATIONS TO YOUTHCARE?

The safest and preferred option is to mail all donations to YouthCare’s Main Office:

c/o Donations
YouthCare
2500 NE 54th Street
Seattle, WA 98105

If you are unable to mail donations, we are able to field a limited number of in-person drop offs. Make an appointment by clicking here.

Contact Randi at volunteer@youthcare.org