Big Brothers Big Sisters of King & Pierce Counties
Big Brothers Big Sisters of King & Pierce Counties partners with actively involved community members to match caring adults with children, both of whom benefit from one-to-one mentoring programs.

The mentors (called Bigs), children (called Littles), and families served come from all walks of life. What Littles have in common is a desire to have a caring adult other than their parent or guardian in their lives. What Bigs have in common is a willingness to share some fun with a young person. Big Brothers Big Sisters matches these children and adults, supports their relationships, and strives to present them with opportunities to learn, grow, and explore the world together.

Two mentoring programs are offered, community-based and school-based. Volunteers in the community-based program spend time with their Little three or four times a month, sharing their interests by visiting museums, playing sports, watching movies, or other activities. School-based volunteers meet their Little for one hour a week, every week, on the campus of the child's school. They share time in the gym, library, playground, or other places. Throughout the relationship, Big Brothers Big Sisters provide orientation and trainings, professional match support, monthly activities, and more.

Nationally Big Brothers Big Sisters has been recognized as a BluePrint For Violence Prevention by the University of Colorado at Boulder and by Fortune Magazine as one of the top ten most efficient charities at focusing its resources on its mission. Nationwide research also shows that children who have a Big Brother or Big Sister are significantly less likely to skip school, use drugs and alcohol, and resort to violence. These children are also more likely to foster better relationships with their family and friends and improve their school performance. For more information, visit www.bigsandlittles.org.

Treehouse
Since 1988, Treehouse has listened to the wants, hopes and dreams of foster children throughout King County and is uniquely committed to helping them attain self-esteem, confidence and reach their fullest potential. Through a unique combination of enrichment and educational programs, Treehouse is giving foster kids a childhood... and a future.

Thanks to the generosity of a community that cares, Treehouse served over 2,800 foster, abused and neglected kids in fiscal year 2003 alone. Treehouse aids in fees for extra-curricular activities and summer camps, educational support services, clothing and supplies, while providing a nurturing environment for a positive childhood.

Founded by Division of Children and Family Services’ caseworkers who grew weary of watching foster children fall through the cracks, Treehouse has built an organization with programs striving to serve the physical, emotional and educational needs of the over 15,000 children in King County with open case files through Division of Children and Family Services.

Treehouse is committed to bringing a total of 70 volunteers or more to each game and providing a 1:1 ratio of youth ages 12-18 per each adult volunteer. With a current annual budget of $3.1 million and excellent executive leadership, Treehouse hopes to use the additional funds from the Spirit of 12 Partnership to supports its Little Wishes program. Little Wishes will enable foster children to participate in sports activities, music or dance lessons, and other enrichment programs that they could not otherwise afford. For more information, please visit www.treehouseforkids.org.

Camp Fire USA Central Puget Sound Council
Camp Fire USA has a proud 94 year history of helping more than two million boys and girls develop their individual strengths and goals through skill building and recreation opportunities, safe child care and service learning. Programs include two resident camps, 11 day camps, 400 after-school programs, licensed school-age child care, two care sites for youth with disabilities, and Youth Volunteer Corps, a program for middle and high school youth interested in community service projects. In 2003 over 17,000 youth program members and 3,000 adult volunteers participated in Camp Fire programs.

Through Camp Fire, many kids have their first experience in the outdoors, whether it's spending a week in the summer at Camp Sealth, a beautiful forest and marine environment, or participating in one or more outdoor program activities with their Camp Fire group. They learn about the environment and what they can do to preserve and protect it.

Last year, Camp Fire's Youth Volunteer Corps, introduced 1,748 teens to the power of volunteerism. During the year, a few of the projects these energetic youth accomplished were: painting bus shelter murals, clearing trails or removing old logging roads in the mountains, restoring salmon habitats, running a food drive and a host of other worth-while endeavors.

A critical benefit of Camp Fire is that parents are often involved. Children and youth do not grow up in a vacuum; programs that reach them while influencing their families - whatever their family structure - work the best. Camp Fire is a program that provides activities for kids and youth, and encourages their parents to be involved.

By participating in Camp Fire programs youth establish positive values by helping others through community service projects, gain self-confidence from learning new skills, feel a sense of belonging because of lasting friendships with adults and peers and most importantly, have fun!! Camp Fire USA builds caring, confident youth and leaders. For more information, visit www.campfire-usa.org.

YMCA of Greater Seattle
In 1876, Catherine Maynard gathered a group of young Seattle pioneers, including Dexter Horton and Rolland Denny, in her parlor to discuss concerns over the future of their city. Out of that meeting came a dream of a new YMCA organization which would build strong kids, strong families and a strong community.

The dream of Seattle's first families has been passed from generation to generation. For more than 128 years, the YMCA of Greater Seattle has played a vital role in the life of our growing and expanding community. The involvement of more than 11,000 volunteers enables the YMCA to meet ever-changing community needs with creative and innovative services to build strength in spirit, mind and body.

The YMCA of Greater Seattle may be the oldest human service organization in Washington State, but it is by no means old fashioned. Through its 15 branches, three camps and more than 200 program sites in King and south Snohomish counties, the YMCA serves more than 180,000 people annually with an array of services, including child care, parent-child programs, teen development, year-round camping, youth educational/employment programs, foster care, young adult transitional housing, family resource centers, plus wellness and fitness programs for all ages.

The YMCA is a membership organization open to all people. Community members who cannot afford the full cost of a YMCA program or membership may request a confidential financial aid application at any branch to enable their participation, regardless of the economic challenges they may face.

In everything that it does, the YMCA is committed to building strong kids, strong families and strong communities. When visiting any YMCA branch or program, community members can count on finding a caring environment, positive role models, creative activities and opportunities to serve the needs of others. For more information, visit www.seattleymca.org or call 206-382-5330.