YES Receives $50K from Moyer Foundation for Camp Mariposa

Executive Director Patti Skelton-McGougan

YES Receives $50K from Moyer Foundation for Camp Mariposa

Camp helps kids who are affected by a family member’s drug or alcohol abuse

BELLEVUE, Wash. (December 27, 2010) — The Moyer Foundation is partnering with Youth Eastside Services (YES) to continue offering a special camp for kids affected by a family member’s substance abuse. Camp Mariposa has helped hundreds of kids by giving them the tools they need to manage the impact of living with a substance abuser. The $50,000 grant will cover the cost of five camps in 2011 for approximately 120 children.

Led by specially trained and experienced counselors from YES, this free camp teaches kids about the impact substance abuse has on them and their family. Read More.

Photo by Yoder

It also reduces kids’ feelings of isolation, increases their knowledge of available resources and educates them about their predisposition for substance abuse, therefore helping them to avoid repeating generational patterns.

The Moyer Foundation created Camp Mariposa with YES and experts in the field in 2007, when foundation co-founder Karen Moyer approached YES about offering a program to fill this urgent need in the community. “I was shocked to learn that programs for children in this situation simply did not exist, and that’s when I knew we could help,” she said. “With continued support from the community, it’s our goal to expand the Camp Mariposa model so we can give more children hope and the opportunity to break the cycle of addiction for generations to come.” The Moyer Foundation raises funds for Camp Mariposa through its annual Golf Tournament and other events throughout the year.

Since its founding, hundreds of kids have benefited from the two-day/two night camp featuring traditional fun activities enhanced by therapeutic elements. Separate camps are held for 9-12 and 13-17 year-olds. In a letter of thanks for the camp, one participant writes “Camp Mariposa is important to me because it teaches me that there are many other people in the same situation that I find myself in. I have learned new coping mechanisms on how to deal with addicts.”

“Camp Mariposa offers kids a safe place to share their struggles of living with an alcohol or drug abuser,” said YES Executive Director Patti Skelton-McGougan. “We are fortunate to have the support of The Moyer Foundation to bring this one-of-a-kind healing camp for area kids.”

The next camp will take place on January 28-30 for 9-12 year olds, followed by one on April 8-10 for 13-17 year olds. To register or for more information on the camp and other dates, call YES at 425.747.4937 or visit them online at http://www.youtheastsideservices.org/.

For more information about The Moyer Foundation, please visit them at http://www.moyerfoundation.org/.