Our vision is to have a noticeable spiritual impact on Pierce County by engaging young people in the life long journey of following Jesus Christ

Description:
With over 64,000 12-18 year olds across Pierce County, the potential to make a difference in their lives and the lives of their families is greater than ever. YFC partners with volunteers from local churches and community groups to multiply our impact on these young people. We reach out in a variety of ways: Campus Life clubs in the middle and high schools allow Christian peer and adult mentor relationships built through exciting events, small groups, trips and one-on-one meetings. As a Washington state licensed Foster Care placement agency, we provide many of the state's foster children with loving Christian homes. Our Foster Care department also assists in foster adoption for many of these children. The staff and volunteers in our Youth Guidance/Juvenile Hall outreach show love and hope to institutionalized youth at Remann Hall and at-risk young people across Pierce County through Bible studies, counseling and social skills instruction. Our free 6-week Breaking Free Parenting Workshop classes offer all families a class in parenting reality, not just parenting theory. In addition, through mentoring, support groups and one-on-one interaction, our outreach to Teen Parents connects caring adults with pregnant girls and teenage parents to help establish solid foundations in young parents' lives and in the lives of their children.

History:
In 1944 Billy Graham and Torrey Johnson held a Youth for Christ rally in Chicago. The ministry of YFC spread like wildfire across the US. As YFC was forming into an international organization, Tacoma was one of the founding chapters. The founding motto of YFC is as true to today as it was when it was coined "Anchored to the Rock and geared to the times." YFC has never veered from its commitment to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to lost and hurting young people. Tacoma has been a pioneer in ministry throughout its history. We were working with troubled teens before the national movement had embraced that kind of work. We have developed a model of bringing hope to parents through parenting workshops, and we have put together a foster care ministry that is unique in YFC circles. Now, in 2003 with 64,000 young people in Pierce County, YFC/ Tacoma Area has a broad and diverse ministry across our community. YFC/Tacoma has had a history of stable leadership with only four Executive Directors over the past 47 years.

Contact people:

Ken Schmidtke, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Helen Spring, Office Manager, (phone), (email) Bobby Arkills, Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Address:

PO Box 834 Tacoma, WA 98401

Directions:

We are located at 1216 Center Street (corner of Center and M Streets.)   Nearest Bus Stop: Local Bus #3 stops in front of our office