Vashon Youth & Family Services

Mission

Every day the VYFS team delivers on its mission to foster a thriving community of emotionally healthy and resilient children, youth, adults and families.

Description

Vashon Youth & Family Services is facing a significant rise in demand for services in the community this year, particularly in youth behavioral health and community resource navigation. Funding for these programs has not kept up with the demand for services, so we are asking the community to GiveBIG to help us bridge the gap.

Youth behavioral health, the very first service offered by VYFS in 1977, has been a lifeline for Vashon’s youth. Still going strong, with numerous community partnerships, we work closely with VISD and other island organizations to meet the community needs efficiently, without duplicating services. 

Community Resource Navigators advocate for the most vulnerable islanders, helping them gain access to critical services and resources to help them thrive. This year’s funding for basic needs like food, clothing, medical/dental care, rental assistance – the things we all need to be stable, is less than we’ve received in years past, yet the demand has seen a significant uptick.

As part of the island’s safety net, we never want to turn anyone in need of services away. Without a municipal government, island social service organizations have banded together to help the community. VYFS partners with the Vashon Social Service Network to strengthen the delivery of services to our community without duplicating what others are already doing.

Dollars are being stretched across programs and agencies to meet the needs of islanders. We hope you will consider helping us fill in the gaps where funding has decreased and need has increased.