Contribute to Youth & Family Services
Giving the Gift of Possibilities
As the world changes many youth in our community face a pyramid of challenges – substance abuse, poverty, neglect, education – fortunately YFS is there to provide the critical support to help overcome their problems. It is at YFS that these children find the environment to just be kids and to support parents, both mothers and fathers, in fulfilling their parental roles; and to help parents move towards economic independence.
The Smith* girls, ages 5, 6, and 7, came to YFS Girls Inc. at a time while their parents were temporarily housed in a local rent-by-the-week hotel. The girls shared the hotel room with their parents and younger twin bothers. Very small for their ages, the girls received negligible care. They came to the program repeatedly in the same dirty, unkempt clothes. The other children at the center often complained of the girls’ odor. In talking with their parents, staff also learned that one of the girls had a diagnosed but untreated medical condition that required special nutritional adjustments. The girls were significantly delayed academically and struggled to keep up with their peers in activities at the center. All the Smith children suffered from severe dental neglect.
The Girls Inc. staff was able to assist the children with their serious hygiene problems. They provided each girl with clean clothing and under garments, hygiene supplies, and then taught the girls the importance of good oral hygiene. The staff consistently worked to develop a more trusting relationship with the parents that would allow them to encourage changes in the care provided. The Department of Social Services, Health Connections and Counseling staff became constant adults in the lives of the Smith* girls.
Currently, the Girls Inc. tutor offers consistent individual support to each of the girls to assist them with their academic struggles, including frequent communication with their school. The other Girls Inc. members have accepted the girls as their peers and often help them when they struggle with activities or appropriate social interactions. The staff worked closely with the Health Connections program to ensure that the girls and their siblings were able to access the Ronald McDonald/Delta Dental Care Mobile available at Girls Inc. four times each year. The children received nearly $1,200 in preventative and treatment dental services at no cost to them.
Your investment in YFS helps guarantee a strong future for our families. We encourage and invite you to invest in our community.
Learn more about the different ways you can donate:
- YFS Volunteer Program
- YFS Internship Program
- Planned Giving
- In-Kind Donations
- How to Make a Donation
*The names of the girls in this story have been changed to protect identities.
