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EXTENDING A LIFELINE:
THE CAMPAIGN FOR EASTSIDE KIDS
New YES central facility to open Fall 2008
Youth Eastside Services’ $10.7 million capital and program expansion campaign is the result of a comprehensive strategic planning process undertaken to provide a manageable, proactive response to the significant challenges and changes facing youth and families in a rapidly expanding and diversifying Eastside.
The YES Extending a Lifeline campaign, when completed, will increase service capacity, enhance accessibility and ensure that YES holds to its commitment to turning no one away for lack of ability to pay.
What it will do
By 2015, the campaign will insure that over 43,000 youth and family members on the Eastside have the help they need from YES -
- When they need it: Through a significant increase in infrastructure and service capacity, YES will be able to meet the ever increasing mental health needs of the growing and diversifying Eastside for years to come.
- Close to home: Eight of every 10 families living in YES’ service areas will have easy access – within a 20-minute drive – to YES services.
- Without having to wait for it: Long waits for help will be done away with. The expansion of service will enable YES to meet the expected growth in demand for services enabling most kids to be seen within two weeks. (Emergencies, as always, will be handled immediately).
- Regardless of ability to pay: YES has planned for long-term sustainability to help ensure that it maintains its commitment to providing services to anyone whether or not they can afford it.
How it will do it
The campaign will achieve these goals by:
- Rebuilding YES’ central facility in Bellevue’s Crossroads area, doubling its size to 20,000 square feet, increasing the number of individual and group counseling rooms from 11 to 22 and adding much needed space for the agency’s outreach, education and prevention activities and providers.
- Securing, outfitting and furnishing new satellite facilities in Sammamish, South Bellevue and North Kirkland (relocating the current Rose Hill satellite), improving outreach and access to services where the population and need are growing.
- Managing the strategic addition – over an eight year period – of qualified counselors to meet the projected growth in community need.
Who will help do it
The $10.7 million Extending a Lifeline campaign is overseen by the YES Board of Trustees and is being directed by a campaign cabinet comprised of YES Board members and community volunteers. While government support has been provided by the State of Washington, King County and the City of Bellevue, close to 90% of the campaign’s goal is being secured from individuals, businesses and foundations that care about the Eastside’s youth and families.
The campaign so far
On July 30, 2007, YES celebrated the groundbreaking for its new main facility located on its former site in Bellevue’s Crossroads Park and publicly announced the $10.7 Extending a Lifeline campaign.
Patti Skelton-McGougan, YES Executive Director, and Bill Henningsgaard, YES Board Vice-President and Campaign Chair, were pleased to announce that over $7.8 million – 72% of the campaign goal - has already been secured from the community with leadership gifts from the YES Board (representing 100% Board participation), individuals, businesses and foundations.
Two of the most significant commitments are in the form of challenge grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for $750,000 and the Kresge Foundation for $800,000.
While construction is now underway for the new main Bellevue facility, YES continues to also seek sites to lease for its new satellites in Sammamish, South Bellevue and North Kirkland.
How you can help make a lasting difference
YES is looking to the community for the remaining $2.8 million it needs to raise by or before October 2008 to both qualify for the Gates and Kresge challenge grants and secure the total funds required to provide the infrastructure and service capacity necessary to meet the growing needs of the Eastside’s kids and families.
To learn how you can help or receive a campaign booklet or ask any questions you might have, email Campaign Director Mel Baer at melb@youtheastsideservices.org.
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