YouthCare’s prom at the Vera Project on June 18 was like any other high school prom celebrating the end of the school year, filled with teens dressed to the nines and dancing with friends. However, there was one key difference: These youth are homeless.

As one of the teens, Sarah, made her way to the dance floor, she shared her excitement. “We’d never been in a limo before!” she said with a smile.

YouthCare, a local agency that focuses on helping homeless youth in the Seattle area, has put on this prom for the teens they serve for the past eight years. YouthCare Executive Director Melinda A. Giovengo said that she looks forward to this event because for at least one night, these young people are given the chance to be just like any of their peers. “Most of the time, they are absorbed with just surviving,” said Giovengo. “That’s why this event is so amazing to watch. It’s giving them back a piece of their childhood.”

Sarah said she feels that none of the youth in attendance takes the work YouthCare does for granted. “Everyone at YouthCare did an amazing job and put in so much work to make this happen. I wasn’t able to go to my prom, so I’m really excited that I can go to this.”

Most of the youth said the dance was a great way to bring everyone together. “It’s a lot of fun meeting new people. I’ve made a lot of new friends, that’s for sure,” said Ashley, one of the teens in attendance. “YouthCare is like our home. It’s like a family.”

Giovengo says that this event could not happen without the help of caring people in the Seattle community. “The staff and our community supporters come together to celebrate these young people,” and added, “Since we have no budget for this event, this is entirely put on by the community.”

The venue, along with the food, tuxes, dresses, even limo and DJ services were all donated by local businesses and individuals. It is essential donations like these that allow YouthCare staff to offer the services and outreach necessary to support and help one of the most vulnerable populations in Seattle – homeless youth.

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Many of the 109 teens who attended the prom are also actively participating in YouthCare’s many programs and services. Brandon, one of the youth enrolled in the barista employment training program, explained what he got out of the program. “They train you for eight weeks. I got my food handler’s permit and some work experience through it, so it was pretty cool.”

YouthCare also offers various educational programs to help homeless youth obtain their high school diploma or GED and has partnered with local colleges to enroll youth in a variety of skill-based courses and degree programs. YouthCare’s Orion Center in downtown Seattle also offers a number of emergency services to local youth, including clinic referrals, meals, clothing, counseling and more. As part of its comprehensive approach in helping the teens they serve, YouthCare also operates seven housing programs, and is out on the street making contacts with homeless youth on an almost daily basis.

Staff member Mark Dailey sums it up best when he says all of YouthCare’s offerings are aimed at trying to treat youth as “whole” people. “We’re making an attempt to serve youth in a way that empowers them. In our work, we’re accepting of their views and we acknowledge the issues they face.” Fellow staff member Sean Thayer says that although we’re in difficult economic times, it’s important that we don’t leave these young people behind.

“These issues aren’t going away. We need to continue to support these kids,” said Thayer. “When we put forth the effort, we’re seeing real results.”

Dailey agrees. “Tonight is a rite of passage and it’s great that we can help them take part in this. This is something they will remember.”

If you would like to donate to YouthCare and help them in their fight to end teen homelessness, go to www.youthcare.org.

This event would not have been possible without the leadership and support of the numerous staff, volunteers, and community members who helped over a number of months to prepare and put on this successful event. YouthCare would like to thank the following businesses and organizations that donated goods and services to make this special evening possible:

A & Airport Limousine Service: www.a-alimo.com
Archie McPhee: www.archiemcpheeseattle.com
Brocklind’s Formal Wear: http://brocklindsinc.homestead.com 
Chop Suey: www.chopsuey.com
DJ Schmidi: schmidi_0@hotmail.com
Greater Seattle Floral Association: www.gsfadesigners.com
Lululemon: www.lululemon.com
Majestic Bay Theater: www.majesticbay.com
One Hour Parties: www.onehourparties.com
Rudy’s Barber Shop: www.rudysbarbershop.com
The Tux Shop: www.thetuxshops.com
The Vera Project: www.theveraproject.org
VAIN Hair Salon: www.vain.com