| Youth Eastside Services Lifeline Online |
January 2011
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In The News
Important Trends You Want to Know About
Fake pot banned by FDA--A few months ago we shared with you the dangers of synthetic marijuana, also  called Spice, K2 and herbal incense. It was recently in the news when a driver high on Spice drove into pedestrians at the Pike Place Market. The FDA has used its emergency authority to initiate a ban on this substance for at least a year, making it illegal to sell or possess. They will be studying the chemicals more and the temporary ban may lead to something more permanent. For more information, Click Here. Teen marijuana use up--Marijuana use is up in American teens while alcohol use has declined, according to an annual government study of 8th-, 10th- and 12th-graders across the country. However, alcohol is still the #1 drug of choice among teens with approximately 23% of high school seniors reporting binge drinking. For the complete report on the survey, Click Here. Early use of pot may change the brain--Smoking marijuana regularly before the age of 16 causes changes in the brain that can impair a young person's ability to focus, learn from mistakes and think abstractly, according to a Harvard study. For more information on the study, Click Here. |
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Client-Turned-Mentor Featured in Seattle Times
He overcame drug addiction and gang involvement with help of YES
 | | Alex & YES Counselor Tina |
Alex Morales was trapped in a life of gangs and drugs until he reached out to YES Counselor Tina Morales (no relation). Today he is drug-free, working and counseling other at-risk teens on the dangers of gang life. His story was told in December in a front page Seattle Times article that ran as part of the paper's Fund For The Needy. YES has been a recipient of the annual Times fundraising drive for many years. This year we are one of 13 organizations to benefit. We wish to acknowledge the Seattle Times for their commitment to helping those in need in our community and thank them for their ongoing support of YES.
The drive runs through January. To make a donation, Click Here.
To read the Seattle Times story on Alex, Click Here. |
Adopt-A-Family Donors Make the Holidays Joyous
126 families receive gifts from 86 businesses, organiztions & individuals
Each year YES staff and volunteers help organize a holiday gift program for YES clients who are experiencing financial difficulties. As you can imagine, this year the needs were great. But the community rallied and adopted every family, providing gifts for children, household items, and funds for food and other needs. Thank you for making the holidays joyous for so many people.
 | | Volunteers Mary Ulibarri, Miki Brown & Laura Bioren among a bounty of gifts. |
 | | Wells Fargo Advisors Administrative Staff with their organization's gifts to be donated to a YES family. |
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YES Rising to Challenges Caused by Funding Cuts
County cuts alone account for $150K loss
The difficult economic times have made it necessary for government to reduce funding to many human services agencies, including YES. In addition, many of our funding partners have less funds available for grants at a time when more agencies are vying for them.
We are in the process of determining how we can adapt in the face of reduced funding without diminishing our services noticeably. We've already taken steps to improve efficiencies in scheduling, staffing and more. We will continue to utilize best practice approaches in our treatment programs--approaches that have been studied, measured and proven to be the most effective. In addition, we are tracking and evaluating our programs to ensure they are delivering results--last year 90% of our clients reported reaching their treatment goals, far above state and national averages.
We thank our individual donors for their ongoing support during these difficult times. It's through your generosity that we are able to continue meeting the needs of kids and families experiencing substance abuse or emotional difficulties. Every dollar makes a difference.
Click Here to make a donation to YES.
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New Year is a time for new beginnings, new resolutions and hope as we await the end of winter and warmth of spring. At YES we are in the process of evaluating new ways we can continue to meet the increasing needs in the community given ongoing cuts in funding. Our donors have been critical in helping us close this gap and they will continue to be the critical factor in ensuring all kids and families get the help they need regardless of ability to pay. Thanks for your ongoing support.
Sincerely,
Executive Director |
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