Briana walked into the community room at YouthCare’s University District Youth Center (UDYC) with a smile across her face, holding Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower in one hand and a bag of food for her dog, Stinka, in the other. As a staff member at UDYC, Briana leads The Healing Pages, a bi-weekly book… Read More of “Briana: Finding Community and Healing at YouthCare”
Six months ago, Amber, who uses the pronouns ‘they/them,’ graduated from YouthCare’s YouthBuild, a six-month pre-apprenticeship program that allows young people to earn their GED and build a thriving career in the construction trades. Amber began young adult life just like many of us: they fell in love. At first, they felt safe and secure… Read More of “Amber: Breaking Down Barriers to Build a Brighter Future”
The transition from adolescence to adulthood can be hard, often filled with curveballs, hardship, and lessons learned. The young people we serve at YouthCare are on that same journey, going through the same trials and tribulations as their peers. But for young people experiencing homelessness, a traditional support system—parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents—isn’t always available, which… Read More of “Frankie: Finding the Support and Healing Needed to Move Forward”
Eric B. has an infectious laugh and a beaming smile that lights up a room. Like so many other young people experiencing homelessness, he endured hard times in search of three things: stable housing, economic opportunity, and a community of support. Poverty and hardship defined Eric’s childhood—paying rent and having enough food constantly worried his… Read More of “Eric: Flourishing with a Community of Support”
Jayden was placed in a foster home when he was nine years old. His foster family was big—three little sisters and two big brothers. He liked his new home and family. He was thankful to come home from school each day to a dinner plate full of food. The week after his eleventh birthday, a… Read More of “All Young People Deserve to Dream: Jayden’s Story”
The first day Nia started YouthCare’s Tile Project, she barely spoke a word. Growing up, Nia’s family moved often, finding sporadic shelter in rooms with relatives. Tensions rose with every move and shouting matches were constant. When everything came to a boil, Nia found it best to keep silent. She became more and more withdrawn… Read More of “Finding Her Voice Through Art: Nia’s Story”
David, a young man who lived at YouthCare many years ago, still remembers the holidays he spent with us. His story renews a bit of hope in all of us. David is a graduate student at the University of Washington studying to get his master’s degree in social work. But over ten years ago, he… Read More of “David: from University Avenue to the University of Washington”
No better word captures Triston than “humble.” There’s a softness about him, a genuine sense of gratitude. Start a conversation and within minutes you’ll see the twinkle, the pensive grin of someone who is deeply reflective and wise beyond his years. Like most young people who come to YouthCare, Triston wasn’t dealt an easy hand.… Read More of “Triston: Turning over a new leaf”
On the day of Rebecca’s graduation from YouthCare’s Barista Training & Customer Service Program, she couldn’t stop smiling. Her giggle was infectious, and our staff raved about how she had become the clear leader of her cohort. Their pride filled the room. Read More of “Rebecca: The courage to be confident”
Young people come to YouthCare for many reasons. Some exit foster care without a place to go. Others flee from family abuse or rejection. But many come to us simply because their families are trapped in cycles of poverty—pushed to the margins of our economy and struggling to survive without an adequate safety net to… Read More of “Tony: Ready To Move Forward”
Carlos and Jessica first walked into YouthCare’s University District Youth Center (UDYC) with teeth chattering from the cold. It had snowed the night before, and by the time UDYC opened, their shoes were soaked and their toes frozen. Read More of “Jessica & Carlos: Searching for Independence”
You might think that growing and cooking with fresh vegetables sounds like something many young people would avoid. But for Thalia, a young woman who sought YouthCare’s support at age 16, this opportunity was life-changing. Though her love of cooking flourished during her time as a kitchen intern at YouthCare’s James W. Ray Orion Center,… Read More of “Thalia: A Recipe for Success at YouthCare”
A lot of people say you need yoga to release stress. But what Melanie needed was YouthCare and the Tile Project. Before she joined YouthCare’s Tile Project, Melanie had hit rock bottom. She had been working as a nanny, making good money. Then she got really sick. She lost her job, and because she lost… Read More of “Melanie: A Tile Success Story”
Scared and emotionally drained, 21-year-old Chantier arrived at YouthCare’s James W. Ray Orion Center with little besides the clothes on her back and a few personal items. Chantier had just returned to Washington, where she had grown up. While living in another state, she had been abandoned by her friend and roommate and found herself… Read More of “Chantier: Rebuilding a Foundation with YouthCare”
LaShawnta first came through the doors of YouthCare’s James W. Ray Orion Center in 2013, interested in the Barista Training and Education Program, as well as GED services. She was homeless and struggling with severe mental health issues as a result of a life filled with trauma. LaShawnta entered YouthCare’s on-site GED program and began… Read More of “LaShawnta: Making Great Strides”
When Mark walked into his first class at Seattle Central Community College, he was still homeless and convinced he didn’t belong. “I didn’t think I could succeed,” he told us. “I didn’t think school was a place for me. I thought, ‘I’m homeless, and I’m a drunk, and I’m feeling like crap about myself.’ [The… Read More of “Mark: Off the Streets and Preparing for Life”
20-year-old Alicia* was living in her car with her partner and her dog, after leaving home because of family conflict exacerbated by economic constraints. Alicia dropped out of school after completing 8th grade and had never held a job. Luckily, she found YouthCare and learned about our Tile Project, a pre-employment training program designed for young… Read More of “Alicia: Putting the Pieces Together”
To her customers at Starbucks, Serena is the bubbly, friendly barista who always remembers their usual order. Her coworkers marvel at how many regulars she knows. Every once in a while, she’ll coax one of them into trying, say, a caramel macchiato – just for fun. To the undecided, she speaks knowledgeably about the different… Read More of “Serena: Grande Ambitions”
At 1:30 am on December 31st, 2011, 17-year-old Jared was out of options. His chaotic home life led him to realize that he could no longer stay with his family. He wandered, unsure of where to go. When he finally got on a King County Metro bus, the driver took one look at him and… Read More of “Jared: Metro Bus Leads to Safety”
Calvin sounds like a typical, overachieving, college-bound freshman. He graduated last spring with a prestigious four-year Rotary scholarship. He was the captain of his soccer team and counts meeting the owner of the Seattle Storm as one of the highlights of his year. But college, and even high school, were not always in Calvin’s future.… Read More of “Calvin: Off the Streets and Into College”
When Cassy first walked into ISIS House, YouthCare’s transitional living program for LGBTQ youth 18-21, “she looked terrified,” recalls Pro-Youth Employment Project & WIA Supervisor Leslie Horton. Her home life had been unstable and violent. As Cassy says, “there was a lot of tough stuff going on.” She was staying on a friend’s couch when she… Read More of “Cassy: Employment Leads to Independence”
