Last week, Tonya Guinn, dedicated director at Trail Youth Coffee Home, posted an urgent plea on social media: “We urgently need your help to ‘Bridge the Gap’ to keep operations running smoothly at Trail Youth Coffee Home till July. Due to unforeseen circumstances, funding from two grant partnerships expected earlier this year has been delayed until July, putting our vital services at risk.”
What wasn’t disclosed in that video announcement is the additional strain of a grant funder being $40,000 behind in payables for services they have already delivered. This shortfall has put them in an unprecedented financial predicament.”
“In my ten years of overseeing operations for Trail Youth, this economic climate is unlike anything I’ve ever seen,” says Tonya. “It’s the ‘Hunger Games’ for nonprofits, competing for grant funding and community business support. At our Spring auction, many businesses that have faithfully donated items in the past were unable to do so, either due to their own financial constraints or commitments to other nonprofits in our community.”
Despite these challenges, the impact of their work is evident daily. Trail Youth Coffee Home is the only space in the Snoqualmie Valley offering a dedicated hangout spot daily, job training, and specialized programming, such as free counseling for youth.
“Unlike other nonprofits whose mentoring services are limited to school hours and are not relationship-based, (outside of a time slot at school, there is no other contact or communication between mentors and mentees.) Trail Youth prides itself on building long-lasting relationships and the long-term impact this has. We walk beside our youth in many ways, but the end goal is the same. From ongoing job mentoring to simply sharing a cup of coffee for check-ins with youth who have moved on to jobs in the community after going through our program. We want youth to know their value and worth so they can have a better future.”
Guinn wants to ensure TY’s continued service, so her team has developed several sustainability initiatives. Trail Youth, in partnership with two other local nonprofits, has secured a groundbreaking three-year grant through the Department of Justice-OVW.
Additionally, they have procured $125,000 in funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce, starting July 1, 2024. They are hoping to fundraise $5,000 in the next few days.
You can help in several ways by going to the trailyouth.org website:
- Donate: Every contribution helps!
- Volunteer: Your time and skills can make a big difference.
- Buy Our Coffee: They roast for resiliency. Buy a bag & support youth programs.
- Register for Events: Join Trail Youth for the “Stand Up for Suicide Prevention” benefit concert with Austin Jenckes on November 1st, or attend their many free family and educational events. Tickets go on Sale this week!
Says Guinn, “I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our donors and supporters. Your generosity has been the backbone of our efforts, especially during these challenging times. With support, Trail Youth is not going anywhere.”
Trail Youth Coffee Home is not just a place; it’s a lifeline for many young people in our community. Together, we can ensure this vital resource remains available, helping our youth realize their potential and build a brighter future.
