Eastside Community Foundation Features YES
We’re thrilled to share that the Eastside Community Foundation recently featured YES and our CEO, David Downing, in a heartfelt blog post recognizing the power of community-driven mental health support. The article highlights the vital work happening at YES to ensure that every child, teen, and family in East King County can access the care they need, regardless of their ability to pay. It also shines a light on David’s leadership and the shared values that connect our organizations.
We’re incredibly grateful for this recognition. Thank you, Eastside Community Foundation, for believing in the work we do and helping to spread the message that every young person matters.
Read the entire article on the Eastside Community Foundation website.
Youth Eastside Services (YES): A Source of Hope and Well-Being
In the heart of East King County, where the pressures of growing up often weigh heavy, Youth Eastside Services (YES) serves as a lifeline for thousands of children, teens, and young adults each year. For over five decades, YES has been more than just a mental health provider, it has been a sanctuary where futures are reshaped, and hope is reborn. Serving youth from birth through age 22, YES offers care that includes prevention, diagnosis, and treatment to give young people facing mental health challenges and substance use issues with the tools they need to thrive.
According to David Downing, CEO of Youth Eastside Services, the mission is simple yet profound: to empower youth to make meaningful changes in their lives. “We walk alongside them and help them find a life that they feel is worth living,” said Downing.
Downing’s journey with YES spans nearly two decades. He took the helm as CEO during one of the most challenging periods in modern history, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before stepping into this role, Downing served as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing direct services and clinical programming.
“We are here to make sure every young person has the mental health resources they need to succeed.”
Under his leadership, YES has not only grown but adapted to meet the shifting needs of the community. As a cornerstone in the region’s mental health landscape, YES focuses on equipping young people and their families with the coping skills and problem-solving strategies they need to navigate life’s challenges.
Continue the article on the Eastside Community Foundation website.