Youth Eastside Services is Looking for Stories from Early Participants

Share your story and join the celebration of 45 years

 

Youth Eastside Services (YES), formally known as “Heads Up,” is turning 45 this year, and a celebration is in the works.

 

As part of the celebration, YES wants anyone involved with the organization to commemorate the milestones over the past 45 years by sharing their story about it. The agency has set up a special form that can be found online at www.YouthEastsideServices.org.

 

“We want to hear from kids who dropped in to ‘rap,’ and the volunteers who listened, as well as past staff and board members,” says YES Executive Director Patti Skelton-McGougan. Those who complete the form can choose to remain anonymous.  Read More >>

 

In the subsequent 45 years since its founding, YES has developed into a premier provider of prevention and treatment services for Eastside youth and their families.

 

“YES continues to develop new and critical services to fill gaps for kids and families coping with tremendous challenges,” said Skelton-McGougan. “But we want to pause and celebrate those who recognized early on that youth and their families need to have a safe place to go for help.”

 

Celebrating the Founders

In recognition of how much today’s YES leaders value the support and vision of the founders, and the leaders who have followed in their footsteps, YES has declared Friday, Nov. 1, as “Founders Day.” The organization was officially incorporated Nov. 1, 1945.

 

Past clients, staff and volunteers, who were involved with the agency in the first 10 years, are invited to attend the celebration which runs from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and includes lunch, a showcase of historical and current activities at YES, and a presentation. Please RSVP to 425.586.2318 or email JennaD@YouthEastsideServices.org.

 

Remembering the Milestones

Forty-Five years ago, a group of dedicated community members gathered in the basement of the First Congregational Church in Lake Hills to start Heads Up. The founders included people who were to become leaders in our community; among them was Dr. Lee Vincent, who helped start Pediatric Associates and Dr. Phil Nudelman, a local pharmacist, who later became CEO of Group Health. Eventually the founders grew to 25 volunteers, including a diverse group of seven doctors, one rabbi, two judges and three women leaders.

 

“The community as a whole is a better place because, over the last 45 years, thousands of youth have avoided or overcome emotional distress, substance abuse and violence as a result of their involvement with YES,” said YES Board of Trustees President, Jennifer Ivan.

 

Pediatric Associates, who has remained a long-time partner of YES, is helping to sponsor this very special event.  “Dr. Lee Vincent is our Senior Partner,” shared Glenn Lux, president and chief executive officer of Pediatric Associates. “He and his wife Ann were one of the five couples who, in the 1960s gathered to plan the founding of this organization, and volunteered their time to make it run. By continuing to support what YES does for the youth of the Eastside, we honor both Ann and Lee.” 

 

Those who cannot make the event, but would like to join the celebration of founders, can make a donation in their honor online at www.YouthEastsideServices.org.

 

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About Youth Eastside Services: YES is a nonprofit organization and a leading provider of youth counseling and substance abuse services in the region.  Since 1968, YES has been a lifeline for kids and families, offering treatment, education and prevention services to help youth become healthy, confident and self-reliant and families to be strong, supportive and loving.  While YES accepts insurance, Washington Apple Health (Medicaid), and offers a sliding scale, no one is turned away for inability to pay.  For more information, visit www.YouthEastsideServices.org.