March 26, 2025
As the result of recent executive orders, Friends of Youth’s leadership recently made the difficult decision to stop receiving federal grants from the United States Department of Health and Human Services. This will, unfortunately, result in the closure of the following Friends of Youth program services: Colin Ferguson (residential foster care), federal long-term foster care, Street Outreach program services, and four federally funded beds in Youth Haven, reducing capacity at our emergency shelter which serves youth ages 7-17. Clients who are affected by these program service closures will be transitioned to other program service providers.
Paul Lwali, President and Chief Executive Officer, Friends of Youth, reflects, “these programs have been essential lifelines for youth experiencing homelessness and those in foster care. Despite our best efforts, the unpredictable nature of federal funding and the new federal anti-gender, anti-DEI requirements, and anti-immigration policies have made it unsustainable to continue these services. This decision, made in collaboration with our Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team, was incredibly challenging. However, it was made with the utmost care and strategic foresight to ensure the long-term sustainability of our agency. In making this choice, we carefully considered the well-being of our employees, the integrity of our mission, and, most importantly, the young people who depend on us for support.
We are hopeful with the support of donors and other funding resources, that our important remaining program services will continue. This includes the Willows Youth Services Center, the only drop in and overnight emergency shelter for 18-24 year olds in East King County, our Youth Haven shelter serving youth 7-17 years old, and other supportive services such as behavioral health counseling, case management, Transitional Living Programs, and more.”
More information on Friends of Youth’s program services can be found here - https://www.friendsofyouth.org/services. And opportunities to partner with Friends of Youth in their work, as donors or volunteers, or by attending one of our upcoming Celebration of Youth events in April or May can be found here - https://www.friendsofyouth.org/support-us and here https://www.friendsofyouth.org/celebration.
Question regarding program service closures may be emailed to questions@friendsofyouth.org.