The Need

West Central and Hillyard are statistically two of the poorest neighborhoods in Spokane and within Washington State. Many teens who visit our drop-in youth centers come from poor homes. Their parents don’t have time to help them with homework or attend to their other needs. Many are from broken homes plagued with drug and alcohol abuse. Some have parents who are incarcerated. Others just need a safe place to spend time with other youth. These young people are bursting with potential, dying to have someone love them and invest in them, and they are victims of circumstance. They come from backgrounds of poverty and hopelessness.

The goal of YFC is to provide for them an environment where they can build relationships with caring adults, be involved in healthy activities, hear the message of hope in Jesus Christ, and become productive citizens.

Five times a week youth from the neighborhood can walk to the center and take part in activities—games, tutoring, leadership meetings, clubs, meals, and even nutrition classes. Seven days a week they can hang out at one of the ministry houses in the neighborhoods. The ministry is available to youth for 52 weeks a year. True life transformation takes years, and YFC is in it for the long haul. We reach an estimated 500 youth each year.