YMCA & Nexus Youth and Families: Better Together

The integration of the Accelerator Y and Nexus Youth and Families agencies is complete! On Jul 1st we announced the new structure, name, and visuals for this newly combined entity as the Social Impact Center.
 
By joining forces, we are bringing together a complete continuum of social services to help young people care for themselves, seek education, and interrupt cycles of trauma, behavioral health issues and adverse childhood experiences. 

Throughout the process, we have been learning from each other, improving procedures like billing and capturing efficiencies such as rationalizing vendor relationships.  

We have also collaborated with many AO staff, Branch and District leaders, board members, and external partners (over 100 research participants) to develop a new brand identity that represents the critical expertise each agency brings to the table, and how proud we are to do this work together.

The melding of Nexus and the Y into the Social Impact Center reflects our longstanding, closely aligned commitment to equitable community building:

• Both were founded in 1973
• Serve youth, young adults, and their families
• Are dedicated to removing institutional and systemic barriers that result in oppression and racism
• Offer hope and transitions for all those impacted by trauma, including:  
  • Homelessness
  • Mental and behavioral health issues
  • Violence and discrimination
  • The juvenile justice systems
  • Gaps in educational, employment, and leadership opportunities
• Have long-standing community engagement in South King County
• Operate offices, clinics, homeless shelters, transitional housing, and drop-in youth centers
• Also use these facilities as hubs for outreach into schools and local neighborhoods

This new entity blends the strengths and expertise of both agencies for greater impact and efficiency than either group could achieve on its own. Accelerator Y’s breadth of programming, about 40% of which is dedicated to South King County, is elevated by the greater depth of mental health resources and expanded housing/shelter support by Nexus Youth and Families:

Arcadia Grand Opening 

We recently celebrated the virtual ribbon cutting event for a state-of-the-art facility in Auburn, and the first of its kind in South King County. Watch the video now for a tour of Arcadia.