Northwest Youth Service

Programs: Housing programs - these programs provide housing and supportive services to homeless youth (ages 18-25) including pregnant and parenting youth in whatcom and skagit counties. Service plans are developed with each participant depending on individual strengths and needs. Focus areas include development of independent living skills, employment, vocational and educational support, access to counseling, parenting support, financial literacy, and renter education. Program goals are aimed toward participant independence and self-reliance.

the positive adolescent development (pad) program is an emergency housing program providing housing for minors (ages 13-17). In this program, clients work with a case manager to create a plan for obtaining stable housing. The pad program provides shelter, food, fun activities, and school enrollment services.

the queer youth project supports vulnerable lgbtq youth by providing sensitivity trainings to community service providers; referring youth only to lgtbq-friendly or "safe" providers; building relationships with lgtbq youth living on the street; working together with families through counseling to return lgbtq youth to safe homes; and providing a safe space for queer youth to just be themselves. These services foster healthy family and community relationships, as well as happy and safe futures for youth.

the street outreach program is for individuals who need immediate assistance with food, shelter, and basic survival needs. This program focuses on youth under age 21 and the cost in 2016 totaled $220,669. The vocational program supports participants in exploring and identifying strengths and interest, building self-confidence, and developing the skills and relationships necessary to achieve and maintain sustainable employment and become self-sufficient. Currently, the program consists of the following aspects: supporting employment readiness, individual case management, we grow, we creations, and summer jobs/youth jobs. The cost in 2016 totaled $84,614. Teen court is a collaborative program between the organization and the whatcom county superior courts and is designed to deal with second-time youth offenders. Teen court is based upon a philosophy of restorative justice in which (1) the offender is held accountable, (2) the victim is made whole, and (3) the offender is restored to the community. The cost in 2016 totaled $53,504.