Friends Of Youth

What Friends Of Youth does

Friends of Youth is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1951 by Iva Matsen and members of University Congregational Church to address foster home shortages in King County, Washington. Headquartered in Kirkland, WA with 101-250 employees, the organization provides a comprehensive continuum of social services for youth ages 7-24 and families, encompassing youth homelessness services (drop-in, overnight shelter, transitional and supportive housing), foster care support, behavioral health counseling (mental health and substance use), the Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) program, the Healthy Start home visiting program, the Safe Place 24/7 crisis hotline operating across 2,100 community sites, and the Youth Employment Program. Notable program sites include Willows Youth Services Center (drop-in and overnight shelter for ages 18-24), Youth Haven (emergency shelter for ages 7-17), Bridge Pointe Housing (90-day post-inpatient transitional housing), Iva Place Kirkland (affordable housing for young adults earning at or below 30-50% AMI), and behavioral health offices in Issaquah, North Bend, and Duvall. Core service philosophy is trauma-informed, strength-based, harm-reduction, and equity-centered; the organization is nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA).

The organization's underlying 'technology' is its human-delivered care framework rather than software: case managers co-create Independent Living Plans (ILPs) with clients, and all staff are trained in trauma-informed care and harm reduction principles. Service delivery occurs through physical facilities, telehealth, a 24/7 crisis hotline (1.800.422.TEEN), text-based access, and the Safe Place site network embedded in King County Libraries, metro buses, and local businesses. Sub-brands include Safe Place, Sparks of Change Network (monthly donor program), Bridge Pointe Housing, Youth Haven, and Willows Youth Services Center.

As a nonprofit, the organization's revenue model is composed of individual donations (one-time and recurring via Sparks of Change Network), in-kind donations, government and community grants, behavioral health insurance reimbursements (Apple Health and most commercial insurance), and corporate sponsorships for events such as Celebration of Youth. Services are provided free or at low cost based on client need. Corporate sponsors include Microsoft, Amazon, BECU, HUB International, Liberty Mutual, F5 Networks, and Puget Sound Energy. Distribution is direct-to-consumer across East King County and the Greater Seattle area via walk-in facilities, scheduled appointments, and crisis hotlines, with no commercial go-to-sales motion.

Name

Friends Of Youth

Legal name

Friends of Youth

Website

https://friendsofyouth.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Friends of Youth is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1951 serving youth ages 7-24 and families in King County, Washington through an integrated continuum of homelessness services, foster care support, behavioral health counseling, and transitional housing across multiple physical sites including the Willows drop-in center and Bridge Pointe Housing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth and Family Social Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Temporary Shelters (624221), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM), Behavioral Health for Children & Adolescents (Youth Services) (HLAFACAL)

Keywords

• Youth homelessness services
• Foster care support
• Behavioral health counseling
• Transitional housing programs
• Community mental health services

Headquarters

HQ city

Kirkland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual donors contribute through one-time gifts, monthly recurring donations via Sparks of Change Network, and major gift campaigns. The Celebration of Youth campaign raised over $451,000 and combined 75th Anniversary campaign raised over $636,000.
2. In-Kind Donations: Accepts physical donations including bikes, outdoor equipment, musical instruments, clothing, hygiene items, gift cards, diapers, and household items for youth in programs.
3. Grants and Government Funding: Government and community grants support program operations. Services accept Apple Health insurance for behavioral health services.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support events like Celebration of Youth. Major sponsors include Microsoft, BECU, HUB International, Liberty Mutual, Amazon, and others.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Friends of Youth is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides an integrated continuum of social services for youth and young adults (ages 7–24) and families in King County, Washington. The organization delivers emergency shelter, transitional and supportive housing, behavioral health counseling (mental health and substance use), foster care support, the CRAFT family training program, youth employment services, and home visiting for pregnant and parenting families. Services are provided free or at low cost, delivered through trauma-informed, harm reduction, and equity-centered frameworks with strength-based case management.

Product overview

Friends of Youth provides a comprehensive continuum of social services for youth, young adults, and families facing circumstances of homelessness, foster care, and behavioral health challenges in King County, Washington. The organization operates multiple distinct programs including emergency shelter (Willows Youth Services Center, Youth Haven), transitional and supportive housing (Bridge Pointe Housing, Transitional Living sites, Rapid Rehousing), behavioral health counseling services, foster care support, the CRAFT family training program, youth employment services, and the Healthy Start home visiting program. These services work together as an integrated support system where youth can access multiple levels of care—starting with crisis intervention and basic needs, progressing through housing stability, and advancing toward education, employment, and independent living goals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sparks of Change Network: Monthly donor program providing consistent and reliable support to Friends of Youth.
• Safe Place
• Bridge Pointe Housing
• Youth Haven
• Willows Youth Services Center

Products and services

• Willows Youth Services Center A drop-in services and overnight shelter facility at 12735 Willows Rd NE, Kirkland, WA 98034 providing young adults ages 18–24 with shelter, food, showers, laundry, clothing, and hygiene materials, plus access to case management, behavioral health, employment services, and housing navigation 7 days a week.
• Youth Haven Emergency shelter and transitional living for youth ages 7–17, providing case management, life skills, education supports, recreational outings, housing stability focus, and family reunification support, available 24 hours, 7 days a week in King County.
• Bridge Pointe Housing A safe, supportive short-term voluntary transitional housing program for young adults ages 18–24 moving forward after inpatient behavioral health treatment. Located in Kirkland, WA, offering up to 90 days of housing with on-site mental health therapy, substance use support, life skills coaching, and peer-led groups.
• Iva Place Kirkland An affordable, green, energy-efficient apartment community in Houghton, Kirkland for young adults ages 18–24 earning at or below 30%, 35%, and 50% area median income. Units are individually leased bedrooms within shared furnished two-bedroom apartments.
• Drop-In Services Basic needs resources for young adults ages 18–24 including shelter, food, showers, laundry, clothing, and hygiene materials, with access to case management, behavioral health, employment services, and housing navigation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Transitional Living Multiple sites in King County offering safe housing, case management, counseling, and life skills for young adults, pregnant and parenting mothers, parenting families, and their children ages 18–24.
• Supportive Housing and Rapid Rehousing Supportive case management services for young adults and families ages 18–25 at Imagine Housing's Francis Village property in Totem Lake, Kirkland. Rapid Rehousing helps young people experiencing homelessness locate and transition to permanent housing.
• Behavioral Health Services Mental health and substance use counseling for youth and young adults ages 4–24 provided through individual, family, and group sessions, available Monday–Friday by appointment virtually and at offices in Issaquah, North Bend, and Duvall. Accepts most commercial insurance and Apple Health.
• Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) An evidence-informed program teaching CRAFT skills to parents and caregivers of youth and young adults served by Friends of Youth, empowering families to support change with compassion, practicality, and effectiveness through communication, behavior reinforcement, and boundary-setting.
• Foster Care Services Supporting foster families who create caring, safe, and stable homes for children and youth with a full support team to help youth reach therapeutic goals and prepare for adulthood, including support for part-time or full-time foster parents, volunteers, and sponsors.
• Youth Employment Program Comprehensive employment services and job-readiness skills for youth and young adults ages 18–24 experiencing homelessness in King County, plus continued education support for GED programs, colleges, and vocational training.
• Youth Engagement Services for youth under age 18 at risk of or experiencing homelessness, offering case management, individual and family therapy, mediation, coordination of care, financial assistance, and civil legal assistance for homelessness prevention.
• Safe Place 24-hour crisis hotline for youth ages 12–17 connecting runaway and homeless youth to immediate services. Available across 2,100 community sites in King County including libraries, metro buses, local businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Hotline: 1.800.422.TEEN (8336) or text SAFE and location to 44357.
• Healthy Start Home visiting program for pregnant and/or parenting families with children younger than age six. Home visitors provide basic supplies, parenting support, group activities, developmental and health screenings, and referrals to community resources.

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Cafe VeloceminorOthersCafe Veloce provides generous food donations to help provide meals and food items to youth, young people, and families facing difficult circumstances. Access to quality food offers nourishment, comfort, stability, and reminds families that the community cares.
• Eastside Pride PNWminorOthersEastside Pride PNW organizes community events like Paws & Pride that celebrate the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Friends of Youth participates in these events to build community connections and create welcoming spaces.
• Eastside For AllminorOthersEastside For All organizes the annual Juneteenth celebration (now in its seventh year) featuring local food vendors, cultural performances, and community events. Friends of Youth participates to support inclusion, connection, and opportunity.
• Mimi Johnson and Church CommunityminorOthersMimi Johnson and her church community donated thoughtfully assembled Mother's Day gift baskets that brought joy and encouragement to mothers and caregivers throughout Friends of Youth programs.
• Imagine HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFriends of Youth provides supportive case management services to young adults and families ages 18-25 residing in Imagine Housing's Francis Village property in the Totem Lake neighborhood of Kirkland.
• Iva Place KirklandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIva Place Kirkland offers affordable living for young adults ages 18-24 earning at or below 30%, 35%, and 50% area median income. Most units are individually leased bedrooms within shared two-bedroom apartments with furnished living spaces.
• Sparkman CellarsminorOthersVenue host for Celebration of Youth events featuring focused evenings on youth experiencing homelessness, behavioral health, and foster care.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Compass Housing Alliance: Greater Seattle nonprofit operating emergency shelters, transitional housing, and supportive housing across multiple populations including young adults. Comparable in housing-first service delivery and regional footprint.
• Treehouse: Seattle-based nonprofit focused on youth in foster care, providing educational advocacy, basic needs, and graduation support. Highly comparable in target population and foster-care centric service model within the same region.
• YouthCare: Seattle-based nonprofit serving youth and young adults experiencing homelessness with shelter, housing, education, and employment services. Closest direct comparable given overlapping service lines (drop-in, shelter, behavioral health) in the same King County market.
• Teen Feed: Seattle nonprofit providing basic needs, meals, and case management to teens and young adults experiencing homelessness. Comparable in mission and direct service approach for unhoused youth in the same market.
• Cocoon House: Snohomish County nonprofit providing emergency shelter, housing, and supportive services for youth experiencing homelessness and foster care. Comparable mission and integrated service model, just one county north.
• New Horizons Ministries: Seattle-based nonprofit serving homeless youth and young adults through shelter, housing, and case management. Closely comparable program mix (emergency shelter, transitional housing, drop-in) and King County footprint.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of Greater Seattle: Large regional nonprofit delivering youth development, housing, and behavioral health programs including emergency shelter. Comparable in mission and youth services breadth but operates at a much larger scale across more program types.
• Catholic Community Services of Western Washington: Large regional social services nonprofit offering housing, behavioral health, refugee, and family services across Western Washington. Broader incumbent serving overlapping youth and family populations in the same market.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of King County: King County youth development organization providing after-school programs, teen services, and crisis intervention. Comparable target demographic and geographic service area, focused on prevention rather than crisis housing.
• Hopelink: East King County human services nonprofit operating affordable housing, food banks, and supportive services. Direct geographic overlap in East King County with adjacent rather than overlapping youth services.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FriendsofYouth
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/FriendsofYouth1/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/friendsofyouth
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/friends-of-youth
• Instagraminstagram.com/friendsofyouth

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles26 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Friends Of Youth