The YMCA of Greater Seattle Launches Lifeline, a Statewide Hotline to Help Prevent Youth Homelessness

August 6, Seattle, WA – The YMCA of Greater Seattle’s Social Impact Center recently launched Lifeline, a hotline focused on meeting the immediate needs of young people across Washington state through resource navigation and the distribution of program funding for food, shelter, transportation, and more.  

Youth exiting systems of care, like foster care or the juvenile justice system, are disproportionately at-risk of homelessness and housing instability and face many challenges such as limited education or job skills, mental health challenges, lack of support, and difficulty accessing healthcare. The need to improve stability and outcomes for young people is crucial to set young people up to lead successful lives. Navigating available resources and getting help in time can be challenging, which is where Lifeline comes in. The hotline aims to help young people get connected to the resources they need before a crisis or homelessness occurs.  

The Y Social Impact Center is starting Lifeline with a focus on Spokane and Pierce Counties, but it will not turn away someone in need of services from a different county in Washington State. The end goal is to keep expanding Lifeline to support young people in all counties across the state.  

“The Y Social Impact Center is uniquely positioned to implement Lifeline successfully. We have been serving young people with a wide range of critical services such as shelter, foster care, counseling, employment training, and educational support for more than 50 years. Our staff are not only well-equipped in navigating resources but also well trained to address the diverse needs of our community. Lifeline embodies our commitment to interrupting trauma and providing a pathway for all young people to reach their full potential.” - Mark Putnam, Vice President, Social Impact Center 

The idea for Lifeline stemmed from Daniel Lugo, former legislative assistant to State Rep. Frank Chopp. With $750,000 in state funding secured in 2022, a six-month pilot program commenced to aid at-risk youth, launching publicly in August 2023 in Spokane County. In Spring of 2024, the contract was transferred to the YMCA of Greater Seattle’s Social Impact Center. 

“Lifeline provides an opportunity to drive critical change in our region, improving the health and well-being of young people,” said Loria Yeadon, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Seattle. "By launching Lifeline, we are committed to expanding our reach and deepening our impact within the community. This collaboration is a testament to our shared vision of empowering young people and providing them with the resources they need to thrive. Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient future for all." 

HOW TO HELP – DOWNLOAD PROMOTIONAL TOOLKIT TO HELP RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT LIFELINE >> 

About Lifeline: 

The Lifeline program serves as a no-wrong-door access point for support and connection to services for youth and young adults in Washington who require assistance to overcome a life challenge that could escalate into a crisis if not addressed. All youth are welcome to use the hotline although prioritization of case management will be for young people ages of 12-25 who live within the State of Washington who have exited a public system of care including foster care, the juvenile justice system, the Office of Homeless Youth prevention and protection programming, the Office of Homeless Youth shelter and housing programming, and/or inpatient behavioral health services. 

Services provided include:  

• Case Management support until case is resolved   

• Navigation of regional/statewide resources  

• Peer support  

• Flex funding that is quickly deployed to meet immediate needs  

• Connection to advocacy groups and youth advisory boards  

Lifeline team members are available Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Support will be provided virtually for Spokane and a mixture of virtual and in-person support with Pierce County. 

Website: seattleymca.org/lifeline 

Hotline Number: Call or (253) 300-9991 

Online Application Form: Microsoft Forms (office.com) 

About the YMCA of Greater Seattle  
 
The YMCA of Greater Seattle is the northwest’s leading nonprofit organization, strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Founded in 1876, the Y reaches more than 200,00 people of all backgrounds, abilities, and financial circumstances annually through 13 branches, three overnight camp properties, and more than 200 program sites throughout King, south Snohomish, and Lewis counties. The Y nurtures more than 97,000 kids and teens to develop their gifts and give back to our community and engages thousands of volunteers who contribute hundreds of thousands of hours of service each year. Visit seattleymca.org. 

Media Contacts: 

Michelle LaRue, YMCA of Greater Seattle, pr@seattleymca.org