In our May meeting hosted by Saint Cecilia’s Catholic Parish, Shannon Amelang of Bainbridge Youth Services presented an overview of the services they offer. This independent organization has been helping youth and their families on Bainbridge Island for over 60 years. It is truly an impressive organization offering many services for our Island Youth and their parents. They are located in the yellow “house” between the aquatic center and Ordway.
You might know the July 4 Fun Run. Bainbridge Youth Services puts this event on yearly for their fund raiser. bys is always looking for volunteers to help with the race. Its a great way to speed a little time helping the community. Sign up
Shannon’s presentation provided an overview of the services BYS offers and identified resources that bys has. This organization is very relative in providing services and resources that can help both youth and their parents.
For Youth: Youth Counseling (free, confidential) ; peer based walk-in tutoring; service club and tech education for island seniors.
For Parents of Youth: Parent Counseling or Parent Support Groups (email: parents@bainbridgeyouthservices.org). Shannon noted that getting support is a very positive, impactful action, that the parents can take to help struggling youth or parents struggling with their kids/youth.
For Bainbridge Island residents: Jobs board to post jobs for youth for potential pick up. Also of potential interest is summer interns and internships through the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce.
Other resources include monthly Pod Casts on Current topics impacting our youth- and their Parents. The Ask BYS series has some very helpful topics. Spotify, Youtube. Some of these topics include the impact of Covid on our youth, competitive sports, counseling, and other topics which are added to monthly.
If you would like more information visit bys web site at askbys.org. while on their web site you can also sign up for their news letter to keep current with Bainbridge Youth Services.