YOUTH MENTORSHIP
Young people struggle with mental health, loneliness and isolation at rates higher than any time in history. Group and individual mentorship programs connect youth with caring, trained adults who listen and guide.
TEEN PARENT SUPPORT
Adolescent mothers and their offspring are a high-risk group, both physically and emotionally. Through one-on-one support and community building, teen parents are connected to the resources and guidance they need to thrive.
ON-CAMPUS PROGRAMMING
Students face increased challenges in academic stress, bullying, peer pressure, and identity. In partnership with school communities, we create safe spaces where kids can have fun, build community, talk about faith and life, and access caring guidance.
Center for Child Counseling
Transformational relationships…
Youth Mentorship
Whitney* ran the volunteers out of her pod, swearing at and insulting them the whole way.
Juvenile Justice Ministry Volunteer Leaders visit Remann Hall every week to hang out, play games, chat, and share the love of Jesus with incarcerated youth. Whitney, one of those young people, wanted nothing to do with them. She’d been hostile towards staff and volunteers for months.
Even though they were met with anger each visit, the volunteers would continue to check in on Whitney until she mentioned she was being transferred to another juvenile detention facility for a little while.
“I’ll write to you,” promised one volunteer. Whitney melted. This volunteer could have been grateful for a break from the abuse but instead vowed to be in touch.
When Whitney returned to Remann Hall, the difference was obvious.
Transformational relationships…
On-Campus Programming
Daniel* marches to his own beat. He’s loud, fun, and full of imagination. As a middle-schooler, he engages well with other kids and adults, loves electronics and games, and carries a Marxist handbook everywhere he goes. He has also said over and over that he does not believe in God and his Campus Life leaders always make sure he’s welcome no matter what.
Then his dad said he couldn’t come to Campus Life Club anymore. It was too religious. Leaders still saw Daniel on campus daily and their relationships stayed open and friendly even though he hadn’t been to Club in several months
Then, in April, Campus Life Leaders got a surprise. Daniel’s registration for YFC Camp came through online!
On the second night of Camp, Daniel turned to a leader and asked, “Do you believe and follow this Jesus Christ?”
The benefit and impact of Pierce County Juvenile Court partnering with YFC is huge. The YFC mentors meet with the youth consistently, every week which is important to these youth that are detained in our facility, as they look forward to connecting with positive adults who care about them and want them to succeed. The YFC mentors meet the youth where they are at in life and build a rapport, and share a great message of hope, which is what these youth need, as they are awaiting their fate in detention. The YFC team also stay with the youth when they leave our facility and connect with them when they are either released out in the community or in another facility. This continuity is very helpful as this is another positive adult role model that can help them navigate life and make better choices.
Assistant Detention Manager, Pierce County Juvenile Court
Working with Parent Life at YFC has been truly incredible for our students. Having a community resource to connect with our students and widen their circle of support is truly wonderful. I have seen students who work with Parent Life grow because of their mentorship and support.
Having a trusted responsible adult who understands the experience is so important, someone outside of their family who can be there for them. Our students need support, and those young parents need something specific–Parent Life at YFC does that for them. I am so grateful for the program!
School Social Worker, Challenger High School
Family and Community Engagement Coordinator, GATES High School
Pierce County is filled with thousands of hurting kids and recent years have shown a rise in mental health issues like extreme loneliness, depression, and suicidal ideation.
Tacoma Area Youth for Christ transforms lives of underserved youth through Christ-centered relationships through youth mentorship, teen parent support, and on-campus programming. In 2025 we plan to expand our mentoring programs, double our volunteer training sessions, and launch mental health initiatives to better meet the needs of young people in our community.
P.O. Box 834 Tacoma, WA 98401
253-292-1499
info@tacomayfc.org
EIN 91.0584100