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Are you a Fred Meyer Customer? You are now able to link your Rewards Card to Y.E.S. by following the link below. Whenever you use your Rewards Card when shopping at Freddy’s, you will be helping Y.E.S. earn a donation from Fred Meyer. If you do not have a Rewards Card, you can sign up for one at the Customer Service Desk of any Fred Meyer store. Link your Rewards Card Now. Go to: https://www.fredmeyer.com/account/communityrewards/enroll Enter your e-mail and password, or set up an account if you haven’t already
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YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SHELTER by clicking on the PayPal DONATE button here. OR
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Gratitude
As the days grow darker, and the cold wind and rain cause me to dread going out of my house, I cannot help but think about those who have no warm, safe home for shelter. As we lock down, now, at the time when communities traditionally reach out and share feasts of gratitude, my heart goes out to those who are locked out. The problems that plague our communities, our state, our country, are too big for one person to solve, but that is all the more reason for every individual to do as much as he/she is able. At the Youth Empowerment Shelter, we are investing in community, one youth at a time.
Covid19 has forced everyone to take a step back and re-evaluate. There have been many changes here at the Youth Empowerment Shelter. Not only have we had to adapt to new and constantly changing safety protocols, we have undergone transference of leadership and personnel. But what has not changed is our mission:
“The MISSION of Youth Empowerment Shelter is to provide youth in crisis a place of physical and emotional safety while assisting them to build positive relationships and develop their individual potentials.”
The YES House is first a shelter, then a launch pad. That is where the “empowerment” comes in. And while a house filled with a varied mix of teenagers can sometimes erupt with emotional energy, every high and every low is an opportunity to reassess, “How’s that working out for you? What can we do better in the future?” We ask the hard questions, then listen. These emerging adults answer, sometimes in surprising ways. We problem solve, together.
In this season of thankfulness, I am overwhelmed with the blessings and support that comes in for the YES House. Especially now, when we are all feeling a bit isolated and stretched thin. Every little bit helps. Every donation is a connection and a brick that builds and maintains this shelter. This is a privately owned house that community built through individuals, partnering agencies, local businesses, faith communities, service organizations, private and corporate foundations. We utilize every resource to create a safe house for kids who need a home. The evidence of our success is in the gratitude of our residents. This is what a few of them had to say about Youth Empowerment Shelter:
“I would like to say that YES House played a big part in my life in the year and a half that I lived in Oregon. I spent a good majority of it at the YES House I could not be at my house during hard times, and when those times were hard the YES House opened up their doors to help me grow. They gave me a nice place to sleep, food to eat, and a healthy environment to do my work and get my first job. Sadly, there were roadblocks in my way, but the Yes House did not stop helping me to be successful. They gave me tools I needed to be successful in school. For example, giving me a tutor for math, even though I thought it was hopeless and felt like dropping out. Even though they would have supported me in what I wanted, instead, they kept pushing me to do better, because they knew I could do better and didn’t give up on me………I personally know that I am a different person because of the experiences I had at YES House.” Male, age 17
“It gave me a shelter when I needed one. It is helping me in some ways like food choices and budgeting. I’d be living on the streets if I weren’t here. It’s a big house.” Male, age 18
“Homey. It’s like you’re always going to have someone to lean on. Caring. Good vibes.” Female age, 17
“It’s clean and I have my own room. I’m not on the street, so that’s pretty cool. There are quiet places to do schoolwork. There’re always good people around who want to help. I’m thankful for the YES House.” Female, age 17
I am thankful too, for all the staff and volunteers who are dedicated to this all-encompassing work.
I am thankful for every financial supporter that makes it possible to provide a place for the teens that come and go, empowered to step into a healthier more successful future because of the community who invested in them.
While you are counting your own blessings this season, please consider how you can share them. We are blessed by a number of people who have already committed to regular giving which keep the house warm, lights on, and the refrigerator full. We are deeply grateful for your sacrifice and may many blessings be returned to you.
Perhaps you have never donated but would like to be a part of the solution for homeless or runaway teens. A simple and effective way to support this important work, is to become a monthly donor. It is easy to go our website www.youthempowermentshelter.org and set up a reoccurring donation. You may not have a lot to spare, but a small gift given regularly by many people is the beauty of community. A small steady stream of support from you poured into a river of many givers will help us say YES to more Youth in need.
Ever Grateful,
Fred Blakely
Executive Director
Youth Empowerment Shelter
Office: 541 705-4777
Cell: 541 993-4941
As the days grow darker, and the cold wind and rain cause me to dread going out of my house, I cannot help but think about those who have no warm, safe home for shelter. As we lock down, now, at the time when communities traditionally reach out and share feasts of gratitude, my heart goes out to those who are locked out. The problems that plague our communities, our state, our country, are too big for one person to solve, but that is all the more reason for every individual to do as much as he/she is able. At the Youth Empowerment Shelter, we are investing in community, one youth at a time.
Covid19 has forced everyone to take a step back and re-evaluate. There have been many changes here at the Youth Empowerment Shelter. Not only have we had to adapt to new and constantly changing safety protocols, we have undergone transference of leadership and personnel. But what has not changed is our mission:
“The MISSION of Youth Empowerment Shelter is to provide youth in crisis a place of physical and emotional safety while assisting them to build positive relationships and develop their individual potentials.”
The YES House is first a shelter, then a launch pad. That is where the “empowerment” comes in. And while a house filled with a varied mix of teenagers can sometimes erupt with emotional energy, every high and every low is an opportunity to reassess, “How’s that working out for you? What can we do better in the future?” We ask the hard questions, then listen. These emerging adults answer, sometimes in surprising ways. We problem solve, together.
In this season of thankfulness, I am overwhelmed with the blessings and support that comes in for the YES House. Especially now, when we are all feeling a bit isolated and stretched thin. Every little bit helps. Every donation is a connection and a brick that builds and maintains this shelter. This is a privately owned house that community built through individuals, partnering agencies, local businesses, faith communities, service organizations, private and corporate foundations. We utilize every resource to create a safe house for kids who need a home. The evidence of our success is in the gratitude of our residents. This is what a few of them had to say about Youth Empowerment Shelter:
“I would like to say that YES House played a big part in my life in the year and a half that I lived in Oregon. I spent a good majority of it at the YES House I could not be at my house during hard times, and when those times were hard the YES House opened up their doors to help me grow. They gave me a nice place to sleep, food to eat, and a healthy environment to do my work and get my first job. Sadly, there were roadblocks in my way, but the Yes House did not stop helping me to be successful. They gave me tools I needed to be successful in school. For example, giving me a tutor for math, even though I thought it was hopeless and felt like dropping out. Even though they would have supported me in what I wanted, instead, they kept pushing me to do better, because they knew I could do better and didn’t give up on me………I personally know that I am a different person because of the experiences I had at YES House.” Male, age 17
“It gave me a shelter when I needed one. It is helping me in some ways like food choices and budgeting. I’d be living on the streets if I weren’t here. It’s a big house.” Male, age 18
“Homey. It’s like you’re always going to have someone to lean on. Caring. Good vibes.” Female age, 17
“It’s clean and I have my own room. I’m not on the street, so that’s pretty cool. There are quiet places to do schoolwork. There’re always good people around who want to help. I’m thankful for the YES House.” Female, age 17
I am thankful too, for all the staff and volunteers who are dedicated to this all-encompassing work.
I am thankful for every financial supporter that makes it possible to provide a place for the teens that come and go, empowered to step into a healthier more successful future because of the community who invested in them.
While you are counting your own blessings this season, please consider how you can share them. We are blessed by a number of people who have already committed to regular giving which keep the house warm, lights on, and the refrigerator full. We are deeply grateful for your sacrifice and may many blessings be returned to you.
Perhaps you have never donated but would like to be a part of the solution for homeless or runaway teens. A simple and effective way to support this important work, is to become a monthly donor. It is easy to go our website www.youthempowermentshelter.org and set up a reoccurring donation. You may not have a lot to spare, but a small gift given regularly by many people is the beauty of community. A small steady stream of support from you poured into a river of many givers will help us say YES to more Youth in need.
Ever Grateful,
Fred Blakely
Executive Director
Youth Empowerment Shelter
Office: 541 705-4777
Cell: 541 993-4941