Bellevue, Washington
Overview
Bellevue, a five-time 100 Best winner, was selected again because of its continued commitment to its most vulnerable young people. Youth Eastside Services provides youth counseling and substance abuse services but has also been a national leader in raising awareness about the challenges LGBTQ youth face. In fact, Youth Eastside Services produced a local film about LGBTQ youth which won the Best Local Film and Honorable Mention for Short Film at the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. As a result, organizations across the county have used the video as a training tool. Bellevue also promotes literacy and academic readiness with its Books-on-Wheels Summer Program and the Wrap Around Initiative. Additionally, youth in Bellevue have a voice in their local judiciary with the Bellevue Youth Court.
Community Programs
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Youth Eastside Services provides substance abuse services as well as youth counseling, and also funded the Together Center, which provides services for immigrant/refugee families.
- The 2010 Books-on-Wheels Summer Program, along with the Boys & Girls Club of Bellevue and local schools and business, promoted literacy by giving 4,000 books to underserved populations in the community.
- The Bacon Family Foundation donated money to fund programs to support Bellevue’s underserved students to help improve academic and social needs.
- The City of Bellevue’s Wrap Around Services Initiative collaborated with Project Readiness to provide reading support for kindergartners and summer support for academically at-risk students.
- The Bellevue Youth Court reduces levels of misdemeanor juvenile crimes and also provides civic education to youth volunteers through a mentorship program.
Youth Voices
My biggest commitment to the city was the 2010 Kids Care Coat Drive. The Coat Drive allowed me to become a leader, but also experience what not many people get the chance to do, and that is giving back to the community, and also experiencing the appreciation that many of the families felt receiving the coats.
—Gigi
First, I like the Boy’s & Girl’s Club because it is a very supported place of learning. For example, if you are stuck or don’t get one of your problems on your math homework and need help, one of the staff comes to the rescue.
—Brooke