Eastside event raises $650,000+ for families in crisis

Youth Speakers /Credit YES

BELLEVUE, WASH. — Yesterday’s Invest in Youth Breakfast benefiting Youth Eastside Services (YES) drew 1,000+ attendees and raised more than $650,000 to help Eastside families in need heal from devastating issues such as depression, substance abuse, trauma and more.

“We can’t thank our community enough for standing up for families,” YES Executive Director Patti Skelton-McGougan said. “Our children are our future, and it’s only through our collective efforts that they’ll succeed.”

The funds raised will support low/no-cost mental health care and substance abuse treatment for families in need — as well as education and prevention services.

Featured speakers included renowned early childhood researcher Dr. Patricia Kuhl, retired KING 5 TV news anchor Dennis Bounds, Warm 106.9 radio personality and mental health advocate Shellie Hart, local restaurateurs and community advocates John and Debbie Howie, plus youth speakers from YES.

See more event wrap-up at www.youtheastsideservices.org/breakfast.

ABOUT YOUTH EASTSIDE SERVICES (YES)

YES’ mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, psychiatric, and education and prevention services have helped children, teens and families heal from devastating issues since 1968. As a leading nonprofit provider of behavioral health services in East King County, YES serves more than 70 locations — including schools, teen centers and community centers — and offers a sliding scale so that no family is turned away. For more information, visit www.youtheastsideservices.org.