Friends of Youth (FOY) has hired Lynn Juniel as its new director of development.

Juniel will be responsible for donor engagement, raising funds for the organization, engaging volunteers, and overseeing FOY’s grant-writing team.

Juniel said she has admired the nonprofit’s mission for many years. When she moved to the Eastside in 2005, she worked at FOY part-time as a receptionist.

“Friends of Youth gave me my first look at the Eastside,” she said. Juniel said her first impression of the area was a place where youth struggle wasn’t an issue.

“[FOY] showed me what’s really happening here,” she said.

After her time with FOY, Juniel became involved with education and served with the Issaquah Schools Foundation and the Bellevue Schools Foundation.

“I’ve always had a deep interest in teaching. My mom was a teacher,” she said.

Juniel said if people want to make a change in the world, helping children’s futures is one of the ways to accomplish that goal.

After working with the schools foundations, Juniel said she is happy to be back with FOY.

As part of her role, she will be leading funding efforts and leading FOY’s marketing team, among others.

“We just want to get out there and tell the mission of FOY and be a part of building the community,” she said. “There’s no shortage of generosity in this area.”

“Lynn is a positive, sincere and humble member of our community,” FOY President and CEO Paul Lwali said in a release. “We’re thrilled to have her here.”

Juniel said she’s “excited to build upon the incredible work that Friends of Youth has done and to help lead its growth,” as well as “expand and diversify its support.”

Juniel started at FOY on June 4.

“There’s ways for everyone to be a part of this organization that’s transforming lives,” she said. “Learn about us and be a part of this mission.”

For more information about FOY, visit the website.