YMCA’s Youth and Family Services Celebrates Its Donors

The Channel Islands Youth and Family Services organization held a Donor Appreciation Event to thank the donors of Reaching for Stars 2023. The wine and cheese celebration on Wednesday, September 6, was at the Hope Ranch estate of Board member Marsha Roberson with husband, Al. 

Event Chair Carolyn Williams shared:

“The generous funds raised in April support programs which support local youth and families. Each year we serve approximately 800 youth struggling with homelessness, poverty, runaways, and domestic violence. Noah’s Anchorage Youth Shelter provides access to safe shelter 24/7, counseling, meals, and support to foster youth, runaways, victims of abuse, sexual trafficking, and at-risk youth. St. George Youth Center brings quality after-school programs, leadership training, tutoring, and enrichment opportunities to youth and families. My Home Transitional Age Living Program provides rental assistance, counseling, educational and vocational support, and life skills coaching. Haley Street Navigation Center as well as Support and Street Outreach Services connects with youth living on the streets to offer basic needs, counseling, and assistance with housing, employment, and life skills.”

Honored donors included Wendy S. and Harry L. Atterbury, the WHIMSIE Fund, Morgan and Phileen Jones, Gary Simpson, Jill Nida, and John Clay Jr. CWS at D.A. Davidson Wealth Management. Thanks went to the Reaching for Stars event designer Victoria Lindstrom with husband, Brent.

Representing the CIYMCA Youth and Family Services were new Board Chair John Nelson; board members Bob Sears, Yolanda Garcia, Wendy Scott, Juan Camarena, Wendy Atterbury, Yonie Harris, and Lis Wiehl; CEO and President Margo Byrne, COO Jennifer Heinen-Stiffler, Amber Stevens, and Daniel Noah Marketing and Communications Director.

Amy Tovias, Youth and Family Services Operations Director, presented laudable programming statistics and the impact of the services by reading written testimonials from youth served.

She pointed out: 

“Our team of 25 is our front-line workers, directors, staff, and volunteers. All our programs are free of charge and open 24/7. We are small yet mighty, and ask those seeking help, ‘What do you need and how can we support you?’ In 2022, we served over 700 youth, 82 at the St. George Youth Center, and 717 youth at Noah’s Anchorage. In January this year we successfully opened our new My Home Transitional Age Living Program center on Haley Street, where youth can find shelter 24/7, and drop-in services for counseling, doing laundry, showers, and storage of their personal items. We work with Santa Barbara City College for educational placement, along with jobs and housing.”

Nelson added, “For every crisis event, know that there are those that go to help, and our staff runs into the fire to help those in need. We seek grants and funding, however because our services are free, the additional funds to operate come from you. We thank our donors who help us to continue to provide services.”