PORT ANGELES — Just over a year ago, three women founded The Answer For Youth, a drop-in center for young people.
After their inaugural year, the trio believe they still have a good answer.
The center was founded in October 2009 by Pam Fosnes, Susan Hillgren and Cookie Kalfur.
It is open 14 hours per week, allowing at-risk young people between 13 and 24 — and sometimes older — to stop by for help, resources or just a listening ear, Hillgren said.
Hillgren planned the organization to be a place that was modeled after a family, saying that all the youngsters who go there know that they are cared for but sometimes hear the hard truths.
She also wanted a place that celebrated spirituality.
“Here, we pray,” she said.
“I don’t care who they are praying to — God can do the work. It is a start.”
She said her primary goal is to support the young people where they are.
“We don’t have the resources to push them to the next level,” she said.
“But if we can keep them at the level they are functioning now — that is our goal.”
Hillgren, now the executive director, said the organization has had 2,900 visits from 250 different people. The group has served 561 children in day care. Participants have done 600 hours of community service.
“We try and help them in any way we can,” Kalfur, a former principal of Choice Alternative High School, now known as Lincoln High School.
“We do counseling by appointment, educational support by appointment and even some health evaluations by appointment.”
The building, located at 711 E. Second St., is also host to Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, Kalfur said.
Fosnes, a nurse, also worked with the students on an organic garden at the center in which the young people worked, harvested, cleaned and cooked the vegetables.
“That went over really well,” Hillgren said.
Just in rent and monthly bills, the organization costs about $1,100 a month to run, Hillgren said.
Donations from individuals make up most of that, but the organization still seeks help every month.
“We really need some monthly donors,” Hillgren said.
Local churches also have stepped up to help.
First Presbyterian is the latest, donating $2,100 in proceeds from its harvest festival in October, Fosnes said.
In addition to emotional and academic support, the drop-in center also houses a food pantry and clothing donations.
The Answer For Youth is open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
The organization also accepts clothing and food donations. Its nonprofit 501(c)(3) status is pending by the IRS.
Hillgren added that, though the center is not one of the member agencies of the United Way of Clallam County, donations to United Way can be earmarked for it.
For more information, visit www.theanswer4youth.org, e-mail info@ theanswer4youth.org or phone 360-670-4363.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladaily news.com.
