In the News
Community Makes YouthCare’s Prom a Night to Remember
YouthCare’s June 18th prom was like any other prom that happens across the nation, filled with teens dressed to the nines and dancing with friends.
However, there is one key difference: these youth are homeless. As one of the teens, Sarah, made her way to the dance floor, she shared her excitement. “We’d never been in a limo before!” she said with a smile.
YouthCare has put on this prom for the teens they serve for the past eight years. Executive Director Dr. Melinda A. Giovengo says that she looks forward to this event because for at least one night, these young people are given the chance to be just like any of their peers.
“Most of the time, they are absorbed with just surviving,” said Giovengo. “That’s why this event is so amazing to watch. It’s giving them back a piece of their childhood.”
Giovengo says this event could not happen without the help of caring people in the Seattle community. “The staff and our community supporters come together to celebrate these young people. “Since we have no budget for this event, this is entirely put on by the community.”
The venue, along with all the food, tuxes, dresses, limo and DJ services, were all donated by local businesses and individuals. It is essential donations like these that allow YouthCare staff to offer the services and outreach necessary to support and help our most vulnerable population in Seattle – our homeless youth.
Sarah says she feels that none of the youth in attendance takes the work YouthCare does for granted. “Everyone at YouthCare did an amazing job and put in so much work to make this happen. I wasn’t able to go to my prom, so I’m really excited that I can go to this.”
Most of the youth said the dance was a great way to bring everyone together. “It’s a lot of fun meeting new people. I’ve made a lot of new friends, that’s for sure,” said Ashley, one of the teens in attendance. “YouthCare is like our home. It’s like a family.”
Many of the 109 youth who came are also actively participating in YouthCare’s many programs and services.
Staff member Mark Dailey sums it up best when he says all of YouthCare’s offerings are aimed at trying to treat youth as “whole” people. “We’re making an attempt to serve youth in a way that empowers them. In our work, we’re accepting of their views and we acknowledge the issues they face. Tonight is a rite of passage and it’s great that we can help them take part in this. This is something they will remember.”
Fellow staff member Sean Thayer said that although we’re in difficult economic times, it’s important that we don’t leave these young people behind.
“These issues aren’t going away. We need to continue to support these kids,” said Thayer. “When we put forth the effort, we’re seeing real results.”
This event would not have been possible without the leadership of Volunteer Coordinator Christyn Weinstein-Levy and the support of numerous staff, volunteers, and community members who spent months preparing to put on this successful event.
YouthCare would like to thank the following businesses and organizations that donated goods and services to make this special evening possible:
A & A Airport Limousine Service: http://www.a-alimo.com
Archie McPhee: http://www.archiemcpheeseattle.com
Brocklind’s Formal Wear: http://www.brocklindsinc.homestead.com
Chop Suey: http://www.chopsuey.com
DJ Schmidi: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Greater Seattle Floral Association: http://www.gsfadesigners.com
Lululemon: http://www.lululemon.com
Majestic Bay Theater: http://www.majesticbay.com
One Hour Parties: http://www.onehourparties.com
The Ruby Room: http://www.rubyroomseattle.org/
Rudy’s Barbershop: http://www.rudysbarbershop.com/
The Tux Shop: http://www.thetuxshops.com
The Vera Project: http://www.theveraproject.org
VAIN Hair Salon: http://www.vain.com
If you would like to help YouthCare end youth homelessness, DONATE NOW.
By Christina Bell
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