Northwest Youth Services

  • Basic Needs
  • Community
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Family
  • Housing
  • Mental Wellness
  • Social Services

Who We Are

Since 1976, Northwest Youth Services has been the doorway to safety and the pathway to progress for thousands of young lives. Much has changed in our communities during those years. What has not changed is our commitment to supporting the uniqueness of each youth served.

 
 

our mission

At Northwest Youth Services, we affirm youth experience and autonomy, as we work together to foster collective healing and justice, in order to dismantle the systems of oppression that perpetuate youth homelessness. 

 
 

our vision

Guided by our core values and commitment to becoming an Anti-Racist organization, Northwest Youth Services envisions a community in which all young people are seen as catalysts in creating a just and liberated society that supports each of our unique journeys through life. 

 
 

our values
Community - We promote interdependence and recognize that everybody needs a community to thrive. We know that we are stronger together. 

Justice & Liberation - We believe that it is critical to acknowledge, name, and actively work to dismantle the historic systems and societal structures that fuel crisis and poverty. 

Humanity - We work with respect and compassion for each other and believe that everyone deserves to belong: to be safe, heard, and valued. 

Accountability - We believe that no one is done learning; as a community, we hold each other to a high standard, and work to educate, grow and heal together. 

 
 
 

Non-discrimination statement

Northwest Youth Services is an Equal Opportunity employer. Employment is based upon individual qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, veteran status, disabilities, political ideology, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. Alumni of foster care and those who have experienced youth homelessness are encouraged to apply.

Services are provided to youth meeting eligibility requirements directed by program funding. Program participants have the right to be treated with respect and dignity, and receive services which do not discriminate and are sensitive to youth race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, veteran status, disabilities, political ideology, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

What We Do

HOUSING

  • The PAD is our short-term housing for youth ages 13-17 for up to 90 days in Whatcom County. We provided food, clothing, and a safe place to live for every youth who enters the program.
  • Housing support programs for young adults ages 18-24 in Whatcom and Skagit County. This includes the HUSLY temporary shelter, Transitional Living Program, Rapid Rehousing, and connection other housing services in the community.
  • Assistance for young adults ages 18-24 in Whatcom who are behind on housing payments.

 

OUTREACH

  • The Ground Floor is a day-use center located in Bellingham, WA for at-risk, runaway, and homeless youth ages 24 and under. We provide basic needs such as food, clothing and gear for sleeping outside and connect with other resources to help them end their experience of homelessness. 
  •  Our Street Outreach works to locate and form relationships with street-dependent, at-risk, runaway, and youth experiencing homelessness (13-24 years old).
  • The Connect Team is a joint project of the Skagit County YMCA and Northwest Youth Services, supporting youth and young adults in Skagit County.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

The role of our Behavioral Health team is to enhance and expand mental health and treatment services to youth and young adults experiencing chronic homelessness, tackling substance use disorders, suffering from serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance, or those facing a combination of these serious conditions.
 
The Behavioral Health team works across all of our program areas to ensure that the youth and young adults we serve have their needs met from a holistic, client-centered approach. This approach is called the Whole Person Care Approach.

The Whole Person Approach is based on a set of core values that focuses on developing a fruitful quality of life for the young person, regardless of age or life circumstances. 

The goal of Northwest Youth Services’ Behavioral Health team is to cultivate and create conditions where youth have the necessary systems to grow and flourish. We do this through a collaborative model that includes youth, staff, and community partnerships that foster educational, physical, emotional, and psycho-social development, and that promote resiliency. 

QUEER YOUTH SERVICES

 

Queer Youth Services provides education, advocacy, and support for Queer youth, their loved ones, and community providers. Queer Youth Services is a partner of Samaritan, a platform that connects youth with financial needs to community funding.

Community Services 

  • Queer-Affirming Care training 

  • Case Consultation 

  •  Safe referrals to Queer-affirming services 

​Youth Services  

  • The Trans Fashion Treasury provides youth with gender-affirming items at no cost 

  • Resource Navigation 

  • Self-Advocacy Coaching 

  • Case Management for Samaritan Platform members. 

 

Brought to you by

The Volunteer Center of Whatcom County

Details

Get Connected Icon (360) 820-7229
Get Connected Icon Hopper
Get Connected Icon Community Engagement & Philanthropy Coordinator
https://www.nwys.org