A Brief History of VYFS

by Marian Fitch

In early June 1977, Stephanie Smith gathered together a small group of community activists—including Edith Aspiri, Marian Fitch, and Jim Griswold—to examine the growing need for services to Vashon Island teens and other youngsters. Inspired by her work at the Kent Youth Services, Stephanie was enthusiastic about beginning a similar organization on Vashon.

Project Intercept — as it was first called — began serving clients out of Stephanie’s home. In September 1977, the Intercept board obtained an initial grant of $7,500 from King County and this original grant was stretched to last eighteen months. At the same time VYFS began seeking grant funds and donations from Island businesses and residents to sustain its growing operations.

Following Stephanie Smith, succeeding directors included Chuck Clay, Beth White Holmes, Jeannine Richards, Jim Carey, and Chris Bingham. During this time, the agency name was changed to Vashon Youth Services and, subsequently, Vashon Youth and Family Services. It relocated to offices at the Vashon Health Center site for several years, and, in 1986, through a federally funded King County Community Development Block Grant, the current building was built on Vashon High School grounds owned by the Vashon School District and made available to VYFS through a tight partnership and collaboration with VISD.

Today, Vashon Youth and Family Services has an annual operating budget over $2 million, with roughly 50% of revenue self-earned through Counseling Services and Vashon Kids.

VYFS operates four primary program areas, with each program offering a multitude of services and resources for Vashon Islanders:

Behavioral Health – Counseling, Substance Use Treatment, Crisis Response

VYFS Counselors have responded to unprecedented growth in the number of Islanders of seeking counseling, especially concerned with the growth of youth and young adults seeking care.

Donations from Vashon residents are invested to subsidize the cost of counseling and care for struggling Islanders. Over $110,000 in health care subsidies are granted to Islanders, including a growing number of youth and young adults seeking care and counseling.

Vashon Kids – Enriching Child-Care

Vashon kids supports working families by educating 1 in 4 elementary age children on Vashon. VK provides social-emotional development and positive play with a wide range of programs and activities. Vashon Kids’ staff fights on the front-line of poverty, supporting Island families and keeping kids safe and engaged. Child-care subsidies (scholarships) awarded to struggling families have increased dramatically since 2019. The child-care subsidies are a crucial investment that stabilizes and strengthens entire families. Over $90,000 in child-care subsidies are provided to Vashon Families every-year.

Oasis Community Navigators – Resources for Islanders in Need

Oasis Community Navigators’ help struggling Island families and individuals gain access to critical services and supports from numerous local, county, state and federal agencies. Community Navigators are bi-lingual and have the information and connections to support and empower Island Families. Over 3000 medical and travel vouchers are provided to Islanders every year, in addition to the wide range of valuable services and supports coordinated by Community Navigators.

Family Place – Supporting and Empowering Vashon Families

Family Place is a multi-faceted initiative that supports and strengthens Vashon families. From Parents as Teachers to the Vashon Early Learning Coalition, Family Place nurtures and cares for families and has a substantial impact on their health, development and happiness. Family Place staff invests over 8500 hours every year to strengthen and empower families of all backgrounds.