Who We Are
Since 1977, Vashon Youth & Family Services has been a vital member of the Vashon Community and the Vashon Community is the heart of VYFS.
VYFS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
EIN: 91-1025994
Our Mission
Vashon Youth & Family Services (VYFS) fosters a thriving community of emotionally healthy and resilient children, youth, adults, and families.
We prioritize serving Vashon’s most vulnerable populations and communities, particularly those who face systemic barriers to accessing services and/or belong to groups historically excluded from resources, recovery and power.
What We Offer
Services and programing include: Infant Mental Health, child, youth, and family counseling, seniors counseling, Hispanic
and Latinx support services, case management, substance use disorder assessment and treatment, homeless prevention, medical and ferry vouchers, and emergency financial assistance.
We are able to bring these programs to the Vashon Island community through continued community support.
Please consider making a tax-deductible gift today.
A Brief History of VYFS
by Marian Fitch
In early June 1977, Stephanie (Smith) Findley gathered a small group of community activists together—including Edith Aspiri, Marian Fitch, Jim Griswold and Nancy Mish—to examine the growing need for services to Vashon Island teens and other youngsters. Inspired by her work at the Kent Youth Services, Stephanie was enthusiastic about beginning a similar organization on Vashon.
Project Intercept — as it was first called — began serving clients out of Stephanie’s home. In September 1977, the Intercept board obtained an initial grant of $7,500 from King County and this original grant was stretched to last eighteen months. At the same time VYFS began seeking grant funds and donations from Island businesses and residents to sustain its growing operations.
Following Stephanie Findley, succeeding directors included Chuck Clay, Beth White, Jeannine Richards, Jim Carey, and Chris Bingham. During this time, the agency name was changed to Vashon Youth Services and, subsequently, Vashon Youth & Family Services. In 1986, through a federally funded King County Community Development Block Grant, the current building was built on Vashon High School grounds owned by the Vashon School District and made available to VYFS through a tight partnership and collaboration with VISD.
Today, Vashon Youth & Family Services has an annual operating budget over $3 million, with roughly 70% of revenue self-earned through Counseling Services.
VYFS operates four primary program areas, with each program offering a multitude of services and resources for Vashon Islanders:
Behavioral Health – Counseling, Substance Use Treatment and Crisis Response
Our Behavioral Health program offers compassionate, comprehensive care for adults, adolescents, children and families. We offer counseling, substance use treatment, and crisis support to build healthy coping skills, stability and resilience. VYFS partners with the Vashon Island School District to provide counseling and intensive case management at all three schools.
Family Place
Family Place provides early childhood parenting support to parents with young children from prenatal to kindergarten. Our programs are bilingual and free of charge. Parents as Teachers home visiting program, developmental screenings, play & learn groups, enriching classes, family dinners and special events are some of the unique programs that foster empowerment and resilience along the parenting journey.
Oasis Community Resource Navigators
Oasis bilingual navigators connect Vashon residents to social services and resources on and off the island, including access to prescription and medical treatment, ferry vouchers for off island appointments, translation assistance, rental assistance, and access to fresh food with local farm stand credits. Close partnerships in the community and local government agencies help us streamline access to resources without duplicating services.
Vashon Kids
At Vashon Kids, we believe quality childcare nurtures physical, social, intellectual and emotional growth. We tailor our approach to each child’s age, needs and temperament. Our caring providers collectively hold over 80 years of experience working with children as classroom and outdoor educators, artists, stage directors and parents. With activities ranging from art, science, theatre, literacy and plenty of outdoor play – we celebrate individuality, promote healthy play and encourage peaceful conflict resolution. Scholarships and subsidies are available.
