Tahoe Youth & Family Services (South Lake Tahoe, CA)

General

• Mission:

In rural communities like ours we see young people run from their homes to seek safety from abuse, neglect and parental substance abuse. We meet young people whose parents asked them to leave because they do not have the money to house and feed them. We meet young people who are asked to leave because of who they are or what they believe. These young people become victims of crime, exploitation, malnourished and mistreated. The young people Tahoe Youth & Family Services (TYFS) serves every day have often lost touch with their families, schools, communities and caring adults who could help them. Many of them suffer from emotional, physical, substance abuse and behavioral health problems. Their living situation is either non-existent or precarious. TYFS exists to provide a stable, consistent presence in their lives through counseling, treatment, education, mentoring and support programs including two Youth Drop-In Resource Centers. Our purpose is to move the youth and families we serve toward safety, well-being, self-sufficiency, and to help them build permanent connections within the community to successfully transition into healthier, productive members of society.

The mission of Tahoe Youth & Family Services is, "To promote the healthy development of the children, youth and families of our community through counseling, education and support programs." The meaningful and enduring impact of TYFS’ programs is poignantly demonstrated by a recent client. The client stated, “You’ve helped me realize that life is so much better than I thought. Most importantly, you’ve helped me become sober. I make better choices and actually care…” Last year TYFS served 798 clients. TYFS provided almost 9000 units of service to those 798 clients. Furthermore, 91% of those 798 clients indicated that they felt they were better able to deal with their problems upon discharge from services. Another recent client stated, “When I first started coming to Tahoe Youth & Family Services I was a completely lost kid. Now after coming here, I’d say I’ve grown up a lot and learned to make more mature decisions. You’ve helped me quit getting into trouble and realize life is so much better than I thought it was...” TYFS exists to provide opportunities for youth to reach their true potentials; to make safer and healthier decisions in order to become self-sufficient and connected to their families, their schools or employers and their community.

• History:

Tahoe Youth & Family Services (TYFS) has been providing services for children, youth and their families for almost 40 years. TYFS began services in California in 1971 in South Lake Tahoe, CA. TYFS expanded into neighboring Douglas County, NV in 2006. In 2008, TYFS expanded services to Alpine County, CA and just in September of this year, TYFS expanded to Incline Village, NV. TYFS now serves the entire Lake Tahoe region including two states and four counties.

As TYFS has grown, we have remained steadfast in pursuit of our mission to promote healthy development of children and youth including their safety, well-being, self-sufficiency and overall quality of life. Today, TYFS continues to be the only non-profit provider of low and no cost counseling, treatment, education, mentoring and support programs for disadvantaged, underserved, uninsured and other high-risk youth and their families in the Lake Tahoe region.

The success of TYFS is reflective of our visionary leader, Executive Director, Alissa Nourse. Ms. Nourse is an innovative advocate for youth and families with a Master’s Degree from Harvard University. Ms. Nourse has more than 25-years of experience positively changing the lives of high-risk youth. At the direction of Ms. Nourse and coupled with a well-trained, passionate staff, TYFS offers an innovative and unique continuum of evidence-based programs. Programs include individual and group mental health counseling services, adult and adolescent substance abuse treatment, education, mentoring and support services for disadvantaged, underserved, uninsured and other high-risk youth and their families.

Despite tough economic times, TYFS has persevered, actually expanding and enhancing our continuum of services to meet the increasing demand of families facing financial and emotional hardship. In fact, since 2007, TYFS’ budget increased from approximately $750,000 to $1,300,000.00. In a time when many non-profit organizations are struggling, even closing their doors, TYFS has not only survived but thrived. Therefore, TYFS believes an investment in us is an investment well-placed to create enduring, positive impact on the lives of hundreds of youth and their families every year. We hope you will partner with us; becoming our supporter and therefore a supporter of safe, healthy, self-sufficient and connected youth.

• Year established:1971

Registration

• Organization type:Grantseeker
• Country of registration:United States
• Year established:1971
• Tax Determination Letter:Received Determination Letter
• IRS Section:501(c)(3)
• IRS Subsection:None

Web Listing

• Guidestar listed:Yes