News + Events

Fifteen year-old Amelie stood amazed, at the end of the 47 km Juan de Fuca trail. She gazed across the majestic ocean that welcomed her. Beads of sweat ran down her face as she waded into the freezing water. Then it hit her. She had just completed the most challenging adventure of her life so far. “I really just did that,” she said, beaming. “And if I can do this, I can do so much more.” Providing challenging opportunities in nature is one of the many ways Youth Unlimited provides vulnerable youth with opportunities for growth, healing and practical help....

Read More

When 13-year old Aidan met Youth Unlimited’s James Parlee, his world was full of turbulence. “I had a pretty rough family life,” says Aidan. “I had conflict with both parents and lived life half at my mom’s and half at my dad’s.” School was difficult. “I had a lot of emotional issues and had trouble keeping myself in check,” he continued. “In middle school, I would pick fights and got suspended multiple times. I had such a messy locker that I wasn’t allowed to have one anymore.” High school wasn’t any easier. “I wasn’t great at connecting with people; I...

Read More

      Youth Unlimited would not exist today without our founding volunteers. Nor would it flourish without volunteers generously investing, supporting staff to help make it run. From cooks and bakers to snowboard instructors, from board members to compassionate listeners — the serving community is woven into YU’s fabric. This issue explores the inspiring stories of three incredible volunteers.       When she retired, Sylvia didn’t think twice about helping homeless youth at the MY House program in Mission. “The more adults these kids can rely on, the better,” says Sylvia, who was a high school receptionist for...

Read More

Sharon Graham, a loving and dedicated grandmother, has helped her family weather life’s storms — and to say the last few years have been stormy is a big understatement. Her granddaughters, Ashley, who is part of Youth Unlimited’s Jesters Theatre program, and her sister Danielle, have had a front row seat to those challenges.        With the help of her husband, Ted, grandma Sharon has been a caregiver to the teens and their mom, Sherry, since 2003, when Danielle was born. During the pandemic, momma Sherry, who had already suffered a great deal in life, underwent multiple painful operations and eventually...

Read More