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Last updated on October 7, 2008

New Futures partners with families to create communities where children thrive. Our integrated, culturally-relevant programs in low-income apartment complexes build skills, foster connectedness and promote strengths.

Description:
New Futures operates on-site community centers in low-income, high-crime apartment complexes in South King County. In these centers, through strategic partnerships with private and government organizations, New Futures provides comprehensive academic, social, and health services for children and families. What makes New Futures unique is its approach to change: neighborhood-based, integrated services that address all levels of a community. Services provided in the community centers vary from location to location based on the needs and interests of each community, and include after-school programs, ESL classes, family-centered activities, community events, and youth and teen programs. Serving more than 2,500 individuals yearly, New Futures has 4 sites in Boulevard Park, Burien, White Center, and SeaTac.

History:
In 1991, teachers at Hazel Valley Elementary in the Highline School District noticed that there was a group of students who did not succeed in school, despite the efforts of both students and staff. Most of them lived in one particular low-income, high-crime apartment complex. But when the school district started an after-school program located at the Juanita Apartments, they found it was only effective for the duration of the students' participation in the program.
Also in 1991, the Highline School District surveyed parents, students, teachers, and community leaders about their community. The results showed major concerns about violence, parents' loss of control over children and youth, failure in school (especially of poor and minority students), and poor communication with schools and social service agencies.
Academics were not enough, faced with the challenges of living in poverty and danger. The children needed holistic, neighborhood-based programming that fostered safe, supportive communities for families and children. New Futures is designed to address the multitude of factors: personal, social, academic and economic, that impact a child's likelihood of success. It has grown organically, itself an active member of the neighborhoods it serves, and has brought together the resources of many organizations to help some of King County's most vulnerable children and families.

Contact people:

Gabriela Sawrey, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Karma Kreizenbeck, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Andrea Smith, Development Associate, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (206) 248-9649

Address:

PO Box 66958 Seattle, WA 98166 This location is handicap accessible

Web Site: http://www.newfutures.org

Directions:

New Futures currently operates four sites (Boulevard Park, Burien, Seattle, and SeaTac) and an administrative office. We have volunteer opportunities at all of these sites. (Woodridge Park-12410 28th Ave S, Seattle) (The Heights at Burien-13737 12th Ave SW, Burien) (Windsor Heights-17229 32nd Ave S, SeaTac) (Arbor Heights-135 SW 116th St, Seattle) (Main Office-630 SW 149th St, Burien)

Miscellaneous Information

Liability
	Yes
Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers?
	No
Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18?
	Yes

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