Youth Eastside Services (YES) will officially open the doors to its new Kirkland Satellite facility on Friday, Sept. 25, with a Celebration of Kids and Families.
The event runs from 4-6 p.m. at YES’ new building, the historic Forbes House, at 11829 97th Ave. NE, in Kirkland’s Juanita Park. The grand opening will feature music, magic, face painting, life-sized puppets, crafts, refreshments, guest speakers and more.
YES, founded in 1968, helps young people and families facing emotional and mental health issues, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual abuse, violence, cyber threats, parenting issues and other challenges.
“We’re excited to continue our expansion efforts with our new, relocated satellite in Kirkland,” said Patti Skelton-McGougan, executive director for YES. “With this facility, we’ll be able to better serve the needs of Kirkland and surrounding communities.”
Last year, YES opened its new, expanded main facility and headquarters in Bellevue to accommodate the Eastside’s rapid growth and need for services. Through its successful capital and service expansion campaign, YES has been also able to relocate its Kirkland office, and plans to eventually open new satellite facilities on the Sammamish Plateau and in South Bellevue. The expansion of services and programs were designed to meet the projected need of serving nearly 43,000 Eastside kids and families by 2015.
The Kirkland facility is located in the renovated Forbes House within Juanita Park. Originally built in 1905 and remodeled in the 1930s, the home is currently owned by the City of Kirkland, with a 10-year lease granted to YES.
The building includes four counseling rooms, which can also be used for small group meetings, and one large meeting area on the main floor. Additionally, there is a children’s play therapy room, a full service kitchen, staff office and workspaces, on-site parking, disabled access, and access to the adjacent Juanita Park. Interior features include an original fireplace, welcome lobby and artwork.
While updated, the exterior of the home remains true to its heritage. Integrating historic with modern, the adjacent grounds feature a new 330-square-foot rain garden with plantings and landscaping designed to slow and collect storm runoff as well as improve water quality. The garden also includes interpretive signs about the project.
“We were fortunate to have the opportunity to locate at both an accessible location and in a historic building that is ideal for serving youth and families in the greater Kirkland community,” notes Skelton-McGougan. “We offer an inviting, home-like atmosphere and have the additional benefit of the adjacent Juanita Park, which can be used for outdoor activities.”
Services offered at the Kirkland location include:
* Help with youth emotional problems, parent/child conflicts, and school-related problems;
* Drug and alcohol prevention and treatment;
* Counseling services for children, youth and families addressing emotional and/or school related problems, parent-child conflicts, family relationship issues, depression, and suicide;
* Outreach to elementary, middle, and high schools in the Lake Washington school district and in the Kirkland community;
* Support groups for youth struggling with emotional distress; and
* A summer therapeutic camp (by referral only).
YES has also entered into a pilot project partnership with the University of Washington School of Social Work to create a learning center at the Kirkland satellite for fall 2009 graduate school interns.
Interns will gain clinical experience in the mental health and drug and alcohol support fields under the supervision and guidance of YES staff. The program will help YES serve more people and employ community-based research methods.
“The learning center is a win for the students, our clients and the community, helping to further the awareness and education of the importance of mental health services to youth and their families,” Skelton-McGougan said.
In addition to the new Kirkland facility, YES provides services to Kirkland-area youth through the Kirkland Teen Union Building (KTUB). The agency also has an office in Redmond, and serves schools in the Lake Washington and Bellevue school districts.
YES is based at 11829 97th Avenue NE in Kirkland’s Juanita Park. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 2 to 8 p.m. For information, visit www.youtheastsideservices.org or call 425-747-4937.
