Arlington Drive Youth Campus Annual Report, December 2025 — Washington State Department of Commerce
Summary
The December 2025 report to the Legislature on the Arlington Drive Youth Campus from the Washington State Department of Commerce's Office of Homeless Youth, submitted under Section 129 (14) of the 2023-25 biennial operating budget. It states that the budget allocated $4.25 million from the General Fund-State for youth services and young adult housing on a campus in Tacoma, run by the Tacoma Housing Authority with Community Youth Services and the YMCA Social Impact Center. The program highlights list $2,273,802 in state expenditures, $1,605,335 from the Tacoma Housing Authority and 168 youth and young adults served, 54 at the CRC/HOPE Center and 114 at the Arlington Apartments. For May 1, 2024-April 30, 2025 the report gives a 60% success rate in discharging youth to safe and stable housing, against 96.7% in 2023-2024, and ties the drop to the end of Housing Choice Vouchers.
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- 2025 2025 Arlington Campus Annual Final 31Ce085E 4673 4D56 84B9 69F10C043Ac
Cite this document
“Arlington Drive Youth Campus Annual Report, December 2025 — Washington State Department of Commerce.”
Original at app.leg.wa.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2025-2025-arlington-campus-annual-final-31ce085e-4673-4d56-84b9-69f10c043ac/
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Arlington Drive Youth Campus
Annual report per Section 129 (14) of the 2023 operating budget
December 2025
Report to the Legislature
HOUSING DIVISION
OFFICE OF HOMELESS YOUTH Director Joe Nguyen
v3.5.1
Acknowledgments
Tacoma Housing Authority
April Black,
Director, Client Support and Empowerment
Community Youth Services
Avriel Burlot,
Program Director, New Directions
Derek Harris,
Chief Executive Officer
Y Social Impact Center
Amber Rowe Mosely,
Program Director III
Washington State Department of Commerce
Cacey Hanauer-Sutton,
Executive Director, Office of Homeless Youth Housing
Division
Christopher Hanson,
Program Director, Office of Homeless Youth Housing
Division
1011 Plum St. SE
P.O. Box 42525
Olympia, WA 98504-2525
www.commerce.wa.gov
For people with disabilities, this report is available on
request in other formats. To submit a request, please call
7-1-1 and ask to be connected to 360-725-4000.
2025 ARLINGTON DRIVE YOUTH CAMPUS REPORT 1
Contents
Executive summary .............................................................................................................................................3
Background ........................................................................................................................................................4
Expenditure and results data ...............................................................................................................................8
Narrative reporting ............................................................................................................................................ 10
2025 ARLINGTON DRIVE YOUTH CAMPUS REPORT 2
Executive summary
Legislative mandate and Arlington Drive Youth Campus funding summary
This report is submitted pursuant to Section 129 (14) of the 2023-25 biennial operating budget:
The department shall submit an annual report to the legislature on the use of the funds. The report is due annually on
June 30th. The report shall include but is not limited to:
(a) A breakdown of expenditures by program and expense type, including the cost per bed;
(b) The number of youth and young adults helped by each program;
(c) The number of youth and young adults on the waiting list for programs, if any; and
(d) Any other metric or measure the department deems appropriate to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of the funds.
The expenditure and results data section presents data responsive to subsections (a) and (b). Data related to
subsections (c) and (d) appears in the narrative reporting section, which provides context about how the programs
are operating. To satisfy the requirements of subsection (d), which permits any other metric or measure the
department deems appropriate for evaluating the use of the funds, Commerce has included anonymized success
stories from program participants, submitted by the grantees. These stories are placed throughout the report to
improve readability.
The 2023–2025 operating budget allocated $4.25 million from the General Fund-State, split evenly between state
fiscal years 2024 and 2025, for the Office of Homeless Youth to contract with nonprofit organizations. These funds
are designated exclusively to support youth services and young adult housing on a multi-acre campus in Tacoma,
including:
Temporary shelter options such as HOPE beds and crisis residential centers, with a focus on permanency
planning for individuals under 18.
Young adult housing with rental assistance and case management for individuals aged 18 to 24.
After the Legislature reappropriated funds for the Arlington Drive Youth Campus for the 2023-25 biennium,
Commerce renewed its contract with the Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) to continue operating the program,
along with its partners Community Youth Services (CYS) and the YMCA Social Impact Center (YSIC). Commerce
has worked with THA to implement the Arlington Drive Youth Campus since 2020. The Arlington Drive Youth
Campus is Pierce County’s largest housing model for youth and young adults and a regional asset serving young
people in crisis throughout the Puget Sound area.
Program highlights
Expenditures summary:
$2,273,802 in state expenditures
$1,605,335 from Tacoma Housing Authority in rent subsidies and operational costs
Youth and young adults served
The program served 168 youth and young adults during the reporting period:
• 54 resided at the CRC/HOPE Center
• 114 resided at the Arlington Apartments
Since the program’s beginning, Arlington Drive has served 665 youth and young adults:
• 370 resided at the CRC/HOPE Center
• 285 resided at the Arlington Apartments
2025 ARLINGTON DRIVE YOUTH CAMPUS REPORT 3
Background
Homelessness in Pierce County
During its 2024 annual Point in Time Count (PIT), Pierce County Human Services reported 2,661 individuals
experiencing homelessness, either sheltered in emergency shelters or transitional housing, or unsheltered and
sleeping outdoors or in places not meant for human habitation. 1 Of that total, 468 were youth and young adults
without stable housing or a safe family or guardian. The Arlington Drive Youth Campus is part of the region’s effort
to end youth and young adult homelessness.
2024 data from Pierce County Human Services shows a 23% increase in
homelessness since 2023:
Overall count increased by 513, from 2,148 in 2023 to 2,661 in 2024
Youth ages 13-17 increased by 68, from 226 in 2023 to 294 in 2024
Young adults ages 18-24 increased by eight, from 166 in 2023 to 174 in 2024
Unaccompanied youth and young adults increased by 22, from 159 in 2023 to 181 in 2024. This category
includes young people who were experiencing homelessness while not in the care of a parent or guardian.
Table 1: 2024 Pierce County homeless household composition
Household type Households Persons
Without minors 2,025 2,262
With minors 143 483
With only minors 16 16
Total 2,184 2,661
Source: 2024 Point in Time Count results for Pierce County
Background on the Arlington Drive Youth Campus
Project overview
The Arlington Drive Youth Campus is a unique partnership between the Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) and two
of the nation’s premier social service providers for homeless young people. It operates two programs: the
CRC/HOPE Center, which opened in June 2020, and Arlington Apartments, which opened in October 2020.
1 Pierce County Human Services, “2024 Point-in-Time Count Results: Accessible Version. Published April 2024,”
2025 ARLINGTON DRIVE YOUTH CAMPUS REPORT 4
Arlington Apartments
The YSIC operates the 58-unit Arlington Apartments, which provide housing support services to young adults ages
18-24 and any children they may have. Additionally, YSIC operates the LifeSet program at this location, which
serves youth aged 17.5 to 22 in the Extended Foster Care system under the Washington State Department of
Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). This program also supports young individuals transitioning out of juvenile
justice and behavioral health systems, empowering them to achieve successful adulthood after care.
Success story
The resident was lightly engaged with Arlington case management when they broke up with their romantic
partner. Following the breakup, the resident expressed a desire to reconcile with their family in Minnesota.
With that goal in mind, they began working more intentionally with case management. Staff confirmed that
returning to Minnesota was safe after speaking with the resident’s parents, then helped arrange
transportation home. Case management also assisted the resident in securing employment and provided
work clothes ahead of the trip, ensuring they had a job waiting upon arrival.
The resident reports that things are going well in Minnesota and that they believe it was the right move for
their future.
Resident of Arlington Apartments
2025 ARLINGTON DRIVE YOUTH CAMPUS REPORT 5
New Directions
Community Youth Services (CYS) operates New Directions, a 12-bed Crisis Residential Center (CRC)/HOPE Center
facility for homeless youth ages 12-17. The facility provides temporary shelter, permanency planning and family
reconciliation when safe and appropriate. The CRC is the initial entry point, serving youth for up to 15 days. Youth
needing longer-term support may roll into the HOPE program for extended stays.
Success story
The resident arrived at New Directions through a referral from their probation officer. They had been couch
surfing while working with the officer to find a stable placement.
After making it off the waitlist and into the program, the resident struggled to adjust to the rules due to a
lack of structure and consistency in their daily routine. Despite this, they were polite and eventually
adapted. Even though doing dishes wasn’t their favorite task, they completed them reliably when it was
their turn.
Since arriving at New Directions, we’ve ensured the resident attends all appointments, counseling groups
and mentor meetings. We’ve also connected with their school to arrange additional support services.
Although the resident is still with us, we consider them a success story based on feedback from their
school counselor and probation officer. Last week, after two weeks in the program, the counselor emailed:
“Just wanted to let you know that the resident has been [at school] every day for about two weeks. They
have only been late a handful of times. They are passing three of their classes with C’s. Just gave them a
handful of snacks and told them to keep it up. Very proud of them!”
The probation officer forwarded a screenshot of the email with the message:
“This is such a huge win! Thank you for providing them stability and structure.”
We need to celebrate wins as they happen and recognize that success comes in many forms.
Resident of New Directions
2025 ARLINGTON DRIVE YOUTH CAMPUS REPORT 6
Project funding
Capital funding
THA owns both buildings and acts as the landlord and property manager of the apartments on this project. THA
acquired $25 million for construction costs, of which $5 million came from the state capital budget.
Funding for services
State funding
The Legislature provided $4.25 million in the 2023-25 biennial operating budget to the Department of Commerce’s
Office of Homeless Youth to provide youth services and young adult housing services on a multi-acre youth
campus. The initial funding for the project operations began in the 2019-21 biennium.
Tacoma Housing Authority rent subsidies
THA subsidizes the rents at the apartments, making them affordable for homeless young adults. During the
reporting period, THA subsidized the apartments at a total cost of $721,474. This subsidy ensures that young
people never have to pay more than 30% of their income toward rent, with a minimum monthly rent payment of $75
for those able to work. THA also has hardship policies for those with no income.
Historically, young people who left Arlington Apartments in good standing (that is, were not evicted) received a
housing voucher they could use in the private rental market. For young adult residents who did not need intensive
support, these vouchers made it possible to move out. Each voucher made an opening at Arlington Apartments
available for another young person who might have a higher level of need, while ensuring the previous resident
could afford rent after their time at Arlington Apartments. Unfortunately, federal voucher funding has dried up, and
THA is currently unable to provide this support for residents hoping to move into homes in the private rental
market.
Ongoing Tacoma Housing Authority contributions
THA built Arlington Drive Youth Campus, knowing its ongoing costs would exceed the state’s potential support for
services. Washington has made a wise investment in Arlington Drive Youth Campus, with THA matching the state’s
contribution to ongoing operations by nearly 76% this year. (This 76% does not include the cost of housing
vouchers THA has provided for Arlington Apartments clients who move out onto the private rental market.) Costs
to THA were approximately $883,861 for the term of this report. This includes property management,
administration, compliance, facility maintenance, utilities, insurance, permits and tax (among other line items).
THA’s annual contribution to ongoing operations is more than $1,605,335 when combined with rent subsidies.
2025 ARLINGTON DRIVE YOUTH CAMPUS REPORT 7
Expenditure and results data
Data sources and methods
Homeless Management Information System
The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is the primary data source for measuring the outcomes of
the Arlington Drive Youth Campus. Homeless housing service providers use HMIS to collect and manage data
gathered while providing housing assistance to people experiencing homelessness.
Contract Management System
The Contract Management System (CMS) is a data system that Department of Commerce contract managers use
to create, track, and maintain contract and programmatic budget and reimbursement requests. CMS provided data
on program expenditures.
Expenditure and outcomes: May 1, 2024-April 30, 2025
Table 2 shows the number of young people served by Arlington Drive Youth Campus, the number on the waitlist, the
number exiting the housing at Arlington Drive Youth Campus and where they went when they left. “Permanent
Housing” means a young person left Arlington Drive Youth Campus and moved to a non-time-limited placement.
This could mean they leased an apartment or house, moved in (and were added to the lease) with family or friends
or otherwise secured safe and stable non-time-limited housing.
Table 2: Outcomes by program
Measure CYS/New Directions YSIC/Arlington Apartments
Number of beds/units 12 58
Total participants served 51 151*
Waitlist (approximate) 8 14
Interest list (approximate) Not applicable 37
Total participants exited 47 39
Exits to permanent housing 21 19
* The 151 figure includes 70 young adult residents and 26 babies/toddlers who are currently housed, 18 young adults and 11 children who
have moved out, and 27 non-resident young adults served via LifeSet.
Program outcome highlights and challenges:
This year, the Arlington Drive Youth Campus had a 60% success rate in discharging youth to safe and stable
housing (57% at the CRC/HOPE Center, and 67% at Arlington Apartments). This excludes transfers to the HOPE
program and other temporary living situations, even if they are safe, because they are not considered stable
under current guidance.
THA is currently unable to issue Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs); the last one issued to a resident of Arlington
Apartments was in May 2024. Without this path to independent living, there is a clear correlation to lower
successful discharges (96.7% in 2023-2024 vs. 60% in 2024-2025).
2025 ARLINGTON DRIVE YOUTH CAMPUS REPORT 8
Expenditure data
Table 3: CYS expenditure and results data by expense type and funding source
Expenditure type OHY funding Other sources Total
Administrative costs $55,436.75 $73,388.53 $128,825.28
Salaries and benefits $322,944.87 $418,701.86 $741,646.73
Program operations $19,583.26 $38,128.19 $57,711.45
Rental assistance and support services $3,927.55 $19,017.65 $22,945.20
Facility $41,687.05 $37,795.96 $79,483.01
Total program expenditures $443,579.48 $587,032.19 $1,030,611.67
Cost per year per bed/unit** $36,964.96 Not applicable Not applicable
Cost per night per bed/unit** $102.68 Not applicable Not applicable
Table 4: YSIC expenditure and results data by expense type and funding source
Expenditure type OHY funding Other sources Total
Administrative costs $222,367.69 $61,247.68 $283,615.37
Salaries and benefits $1,165,106.44 $21,472.97 $1,186,579.41
Program operations $107,972.38 $20,016.37 $127,988.75
Rental assistance and support services $161,283.67 $6,237.20 $167,520.87
Facility $46,678.63 $53,031.16 $99,709.79
Total program expenditures $1,703,408.81 $162,005.38 $1,865,414.19
Cost per year per bed/unit** $29,369.12 Not applicable Not applicable
Cost per night per bed/unit** $81.58 Not applicable Not applicable
Table 5: THA expenditure and results data by expense type and funding source
Expenditure type OHY funding Other sources Total
Administrative costs $0 $545,390.29 $545,390.29
Salaries and benefits $322,944.87 $174,703.81 $497,648.68
Program operations $0 $0 $127,555.64
Rental assistance and support services $0 $721,474 $721,474
Facility $0 $163,766.48 $163,766.48
Total program expenditures $322,944.87 $1,605,334.10 $1,928,278.97
Cost per year per bed/unit** $150.97* Not applicable Not applicable
Cost per night per bed/unit** $5.03* Not applicable Not applicable
* This outlines the charges for all beds and units for the property management services provided by THA.
2025 ARLINGTON DRIVE YOUTH CAMPUS REPORT 9
Narrative reporting
A collection of narrative reports was used to describe program highlights, challenges, barriers and successes
within a contractual period. The Office of Homeless Youth administers Performance Progress Reports (PPR), a
methodology through which programs can speak to experiences within a project that may not be quantified within
the HMIS application. Programs are required to submit a PPR semi-annually.
Arlington Apartments Young Adult Housing Program
Managing the waitlist
Arlington Apartments have been operating at 100% capacity since February 2022. The Y Social Impact Center
intentionally limits the waitlist to about 50 individuals to ensure that young people do not have false hope about the
availability of living space. Being on the waitlist means that a young person has submitted paperwork for an
apartment, whereas the interest list is less formal and does not include paperwork. The young people on the
interest list are also referred to Coordinated Entry and other services and housing options.
Once a month, YSIC sends updated eligibility forms to all young adults on the waitlist to verify that they are still
interested and eligible. This allows potential tenants to move in quickly once a unit is ready. Each applicant is
contacted by email, phone and text, requesting to update the form. If two months pass without response, the young
person is removed from the waitlist or interest list. This ensures the waitlist is current and includes as many
eligible and interested young people as possible without offering false hope.
As of April 30, 2025:
The waitlist includes 14 young people; the interest list is up to 37.
261 young adults applied to and were deemed eligible for housing at Arlington Apartments.
Of those no longer on the waitlist, 103 stopped responding to several months of outreach attempts,
and at least 3 found other housing. Another 16 became ineligible due to factors like collection
balances, not having required documents or earning too much money.
Communication and expectations
This year, YSIC has partnered more closely with THA on property management. They requested more consistent
notices to residents that they are late on rent, and more frequent pay or vacate notices. Early, frequent
communication means that residents realize they owe money when the amount is still something a young person
can afford, whereas waiting 4 or 5 months to provide notice results in a total that can feel unachievable. While this
change initially resulted in some untimely departures and uncertain outcomes, it also motivated more young people
to finally work with case management, find employment and/or start and finish the paperwork for Aged, Blind or
Disabled (ABD)/Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. They have seen an uptick in residents’ desire to
secure consistent income via employment or state assistance.
This is part of a larger YSIC effort to provide real-life expectations of adulthood to our young residents. For many,
temporary COVID protections and eviction moratoria created an unrealistic impression of what it meant to rent and
be an adult for the young people, with few repercussions for nonpayment of rent. YSIC staff also updated rental
and utility assistance applications to mimic what renters see in the private market, which gives residents practice
filing out applications for life post-Arlington Apartments. Change is slow, but YSIC is confident that residents are
growing to understand housing processes better than they did a few months ago.
2025 ARLINGTON DRIVE YOUTH CAMPUS REPORT 10
Serving young parents and their children
In addition to the primary clientele, Arlington Apartments houses children who would otherwise be homeless.
During the past year, 31 Arlington Apartment residents were parenting babies or toddlers, so the total number of
program beneficiaries was 192: 151 enrolled clients + 41 children of clients. YSIC works closely with community
partners to bring in additional family planning and parenting resources, ensuring individuals have the support and
agency to make informed decisions in the best interest of their families.
Challenges
Lack of funding has slowed voucher disbursement almost to a stop. Several residents have been waiting for
vouchers for nearly a year, and THA has no timeline for when they may resume. This, plus a lack of affordable
market-rate housing, means that residents stay in the building longer than they want or need to. Six residents are
on the waitlist for a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), dating back to early April 2024. Several others have inquired,
but THA has provided a realistic perspective on the likelihood of getting a voucher, so the young people have
decided not to pursue a voucher. The bottleneck drastically limits the number of young people THA can help
because it prevents apartments from becoming available for new clients.
Mental health is also a challenge. Many of the residents need support for their mental health, but they are reluctant
to go to therapy due to stigma around mental health diagnoses. To overcome this barrier, YSIC has worked to bring
in alternative wellness resources that can support healing.
Success story
While living at Arlington, a resident obtained employment as a security guard. With this new income, they
felt ready to move into the community but weren’t sure where to begin.
Case management worked with the resident to apply for a housing voucher, identify eligible units, visit sites
and ultimately sign a lease. Staff supported the resident throughout the process, helping them feel
empowered and confident in their decision.
The resident later shared that the process was so involved they might have backed out and remained at
Arlington if staff hadn’t guided them through it. In aftercare check-ins, the resident reports they are doing
well, still working in security and now pursuing a college degree.
Resident of Arlington Apartments
New Directions Crisis Residential/HOPE Center
As of July 2024, New Directions has a new call/referral log system that counts every incoming call inquiring if they
have an open bed. This includes all email referrals, which is how they get referrals from the Washington
Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Since rolling out the system, they have received 504 calls
inquiring about a bed or making a referral. However, the number of calls is not necessarily the same as the number
of youth seeking help, since one person may call multiple days in a row to ask for a bed.
2025 ARLINGTON DRIVE YOUTH CAMPUS REPORT 11
Length of stay and increased self-referrals
Over the past few years, New Directions has seen youth staying at the center longer:
In 2022, the average length of stay was 18.56 days.
In 2023, the average length of stay was 44.18 days.
In 2024, the average length of stay was 27.56 days. The longest stay was 211 days.
The Keeping Families Together Act of 2021 significantly contributed to this shift. This legislation directs DCYF to
keep families together unless a child is at imminent risk of physical harm. Before HB 1227, New Directions worked
closely with DCYF to provide services to youth who had been removed from their homes — children who might be
with New Directions for only four or five days. Now, 67% of the youth are self-referrals, which means they don’t
have the same available resources, the same support outside the program, or the same connection with their
families. This represents a significant change compared to 2022, when 15% of the youth served came via self-
referral. Without DCYF support, New Directions is responsible for all care and case management.
New Directions has had to adapt its program to meet very different needs. The longer stays impact case
management choices and day-to-day program function. On the positive side, it does mean that they can enroll
youth in services such as counseling because they know they will have more stability. They can also connect with
their schools to ensure services are in place for clients to succeed there, too.
Seventeen year olds
A consistent issue is the number of 17 year olds being referred to New Directions. State systems often underserve
them, likely due to limited resources and there are not enough placements for youth of this age in foster homes.
State systems also do not have sufficient capacity to support youth in crisis who are not likely to be placed in
foster care. Yet these teens cannot apply for many services (including housing) until they are 18, resulting in a
significant gap in support. To help meet this need, New Directions has been providing longer-term placement to
provide some stability. That said, New Directions must be highly creative and lean on community partners to set up
continued stability for life after they turn 18.
2025 ARLINGTON DRIVE YOUTH CAMPUS REPORT 12
Success story
In July, we discharged a youth who had been a New Directions client for 321 days. The resident spent
nearly their entire 17th year in the program and was discharged on their 18th birthday.
They arrived at New Directions in September 2023 after being referred by their school. Originally from Latin
America, the resident had been in the United States for only a short time when they found themselves in
need of housing. Upon discharge, they transitioned into a Transitional Living Program under Extended
Foster Care, with support from an immigration lawyer working to help them obtain legal status.
Staff worked with the resident on job skills, education and independent living. Their school was highly
supportive, and we were grateful for the collaboration throughout the resident’s stay. After many inquiries,
calls and emails, the resident ended up with three legal advocates—LCYC, DCYF and the Northwest
Immigrant Rights Project.
We maintained regular communication with the resident’s mother in Latin America, who consistently
supported their path to life in the United States. G continues to do well, remains in school and is still
enrolled in their housing program. They hope to secure immigration documents so they can begin working.
The resident wants to become a mechanic, and the school is helping them explore technical education
options for after graduation. We’re proud of their progress and hopeful for their future.
Resident New Directions
Personal electronics
At the end of October, in response to updates to Chapter 110-145 of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC),
CYS revised its protocol regarding youth personal electronics. 2 Under the old rules, youth were not allowed to keep
their phones and other personal electronics in the program, leading to many youth refusing services outright. Even
though devices would be kept safe in the case manager’s office, potential clients felt an urgency to keep their
phones and devices with them for reassurance. Under the new rules, youth can possess and use their personal
electronics in the program. There is a learning curve for everyone, but so far it is going well. In addition to providing
youth with more agency, this change allows youth to stay connected to their support systems all the time.
New staff
In last year’s report, CYS shared that staff shortages severely impacted their capacity to serve youth. However, this
has shifted in the last year; since May 2024, New Directions has hired 12 new team members. Of these, three are
full-time, one is part-time, and the rest are on call. The entire New Directions team has had a hand in training them
and ensuring their questions are answered. They are an asset to the New Directions team. Now that they are fully
staffed, they can serve more youth, and they hope to use the full capacity of the program by the end of summer.
Tacoma Housing Authority
THA’s Property Management Department has noted that residents are moving toward greater accountability in rent
payment, employment and vehicle and pet registration, as required. The apartments were leased during the
pandemic, so accountability for the lease the residents signed has been addressed as they have moved forward
2Washington State Legislature, “Washington Administrative Code Chapter 110-145,"
2025 ARLINGTON DRIVE YOUTH CAMPUS REPORT 13
from the pandemic. The property management staff reports seeing the residents take more accountability and
create better relationships with staff. Staff have witnessed a complete change in the feeling of the building as
Property Management continues to work with the Y Social Impact Center to educate, assist and move the residents
toward their goals. Staff report that residents who have arrived at THA’s housing from severe traumatic life events,
some with minors in their household, are transitioning from survival mode to planning for their future.
Community partnerships
New Directions has worked with many community partners to support and enrich the lives of participants:
Hilltop Artists, Tacoma Boat Builders and Tacoma Public Libraries get the youth involved in the community via
summer courses/programs and other activities.
New Directions works closely with other local shelter providers, as they sometimes cannot place all the referred
youth. Providers like Coffee Oasis work with them to find nearby placements.
Coleman and Associates facilitates Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) training for CYS leadership.
Legal Counsel for Youth and Children (LCYF) and the Pierce County attorney provide legal representation for the
youth.
New Directions is also integral to the Pierce County Youth Engagement Services (YES) program. During the
quarter, it connected with the Metropolitan Development Council (MDC) and explored how these organizations
can partner more.
YSIC has a robust array of community partnerships at Arlington Drive Youth Campus that help surround the
residents with support. Partnerships range from one-off presentations on life skills programming to continuous
weekly engagement:
Our Sisters House and YOU-ISH: These grassroots by-and-for organizations partnered with YSIC through a WA
Department of Health grant to deliver healthy relationship education, healing circles, mindset shifting and
confidence growth twice a week over three months for a cohort of residents. So far, two cohorts have wrapped
up and a third cohort is underway. This program has seen some of the best results in terms of healing and
growth of residents. All participants were asked to go through the program again, and the friendships developed
in sessions are still blossoming.
YSIC Behavioral Health, Comprehensive Life Resources, Community Health and Greater Lakes: Partners provide
1:1 therapy for residents.
Ted Brown Music, Henna for Fun, Hilltop Artists and a yoga therapist: These partners provide wellness support
outside of standard 1:1 therapy for clients who need different types of mental health support.
DSHS Mobile Outreach, Labor Works, WorkSource, Northwest Education Access, Orion Industries, Rebuilding
Hope, Oasis Youth Center and Washington State Employees Credit Union are just a few of the partners offering
resources, education and training through our life skills programming.
YSIC has worked hard to build protective environments that allow young people in the building to thrive. Adding Our
Sisters House and the YOU-ISH wellness cohort has improved the sense of community even more. They see
residents caring for each other and the community in a new and deeper way. An example is residents stepping in to
help another resident when a former partner was harassing them. Residents also protected case managers when
guests were not acting in line with the building norms. Best of all, they have seen residents lean on each other
through similar life experiences.
2025 ARLINGTON DRIVE YOUTH CAMPUS REPORT 14
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