University of Washington Men’s Basketball Coach Lorenzo Romar will be the keynote speaker at Youth Eastside Services’ (YES) annual Invest in Youth Breakfast on April 26 at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue.

Coach Romar will share his enthusiasm for issues surrounding youth and wisdom learned on and off the court. “I’m pleased to support YES and the work they do to keep our youth and families healthy and strong,” says Romar.

Romar has led the Husky Men’s basketball team for nine seasons, and during this time has lifted the Huskies to an elite level and unprecedented success. Since 2004, he has 161 wins under his belt — the most wins over a seven-year period in the school’s history. Romar has earned the distinction as the longest tenured coach currently in the Pac-10 Conference.

“We’re excited to have Coach Romar bring his passion and commitment to Eastside kids and families,” said YES Executive Director Patti Skelton-McGougan. “He is an excellent speaker with much to share with our audience.”

The Invest in Youth Breakfast is YES’ only fund raiser and is slated to attract 900 guests and raise $425,000. With offices in Kirkland, Bellevue and Redmond, YES is a leading provider of youth counseling and substance abuse services in the region. Since 1968, they have been a lifeline for kids and families, offering treatment, education and prevention services to help youth become healthy, confident and self-reliant and families to be strong, supportive and loving.

The breakfast, held from 7:30-8:45 a.m. on April 26, will also feature clients and parents sharing their stories. There is no charge to attend the breakfast, but during the program, guests will be asked to make a minimum $150 donation to the YES’ Lifeline Fund, which supports uncompensated care and underfunded programs. Corporate sponsors enable every dollar raised at the event to be donated to the Lifeline Fund. In addition, donations of $500 and over made at or prior to the event will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, by other donors.

“Sometimes kids come on their own because they are being abused and it’s not safe to ask their parents for help. Sometimes, insurance doesn’t cover all of the costs of treatment and the family can’t afford the difference, and sometimes the family has no insurance and no funds. It’s through the donations from our breakfast that YES can help every youth and family regardless of ability to pay,” said Skelton-McGougan.

For more information, or to attend the program, visit YES’ Web site at www.YouthEastsideServices.org.