Helping Foster Youth Succeed Philanthro & YMCA

The YMCA provides vital services to foster youth transitioning out of foster care. Philanthro is helping to shed light on the issues facing foster youth and fundraise for the YMCA. Learn more below about what the Y is doing and how you can help.

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And we are done! $6,506 for the Y

Over 3 months, our partnership with the YMCA of Greater Seattle has finally come to a close and could not have been a bigger success. Stats from our campaign:

Volunteer Day - 20 Volunteers

Why Care? Social Mixer - 80+ Attendees and $567.05 in donations

Illuminate Fundraiser - 300+ Attendees and $5664.13 in donations

In total, we've driven around 400 young professionals to take part in philanthropy and raised just over $6,500 to boost the Young Adult Services program at the YMCA to directly improve the lives of foster youth. We are happy to announce that 100% of proceeds are going to the YMCA

Thank you for making our campaign a huge success and inspiring all of us at Philanthro to continue to our mission to get more young professionals involved. Our next partnership will be announced soon. Take a moment and like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to stay updated! If you have any NPO or business contacts, that would like to partner with Philanthro please let me know. Thanks again from the P* Family! Billy CMO/marketing dude

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Event photos posted! See all the photos on Facebook

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Thank You From the YMCA

"On behalf of the YMCA, a huge Thank You to our friends at Philanthro Seattle who planned an amazing Illuminate event at the Hard Rock Café.  We have so much respect for your organization.  You embraced the cause of helping youth in foster care and you gave 110% the past three months to engage young professionals in that cause.  For three months and three events we’ve felt honored to work alongside you and be your first community partner.

And for the hundreds of you who attended the Illuminate event in April (or the Why Care? Social Mixer in March or the Volunteer Day in February) – thank you for being friends of Philanthro and the YMCA.  Your generosity of time and money means more support and opportunities for youth leaving foster care.  And just as important, your generosity means our community has hundreds more passionate young people making the world a better place." Sean Walsh, Director of Young Adult Services at the YMCA

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And we're done!

We're working on getting final numbers but early estimates are around 300 people and $5,000 raised at Illuminate! Beyond the numbers, everyone had a ton of fun dancing and partying it up and the Y felt that they got their message out to the young professionals of Seattle.

Thanks everyone for joining or contributing to our biggest event yet. Photos and full wrap up to come. Stay tuned!

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Less than 48 hours until Illuminate - Final Update!!

Here are the final details before the big event. Dress up with white and neon, get some crazy accessories and get ready to party for a great cause.

First big news, we will have t-shirts for sale created by foster youth in the theme of Illuminate for $10 at the event! All the money goes directly to the Y's foster youth programs of course :) I hope you're as excited as we are that the young adults we're helping get to directly contribute to our event.

In addition, we have awesome door prizes lined up for everyone:

Massage Envy Gift Card

Massage Envy Gift Card and Julep Nail Parlor Gift Card ($25)

Chocolate Box Experience package and Teeth Brightening Service

$100 Gift Card to The Met

We'll announce the winners around 11PM so get there on time!! As a bonus, get Buca di Beppo coupon if you're one of the first 50 guests to arrive. Also everyone that comes will get a glow bracelet or necklace to light up the evening. Get ready to party it up for a good cause. Feel free to talk to any Philanthro or YMCA staff if you want to learn more about what we're doing or if you want to help out :) If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, go here: http://tktwb.tw/april30YMCAtickets Thank you and see you Saturday!! Billy and the rest of the P* family

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Interview: Adrienne Jeffrey, Owner of Sweet Iron Waffles

Sweet Iron Waffles donated gift certificates to our Illuminate VIP Package. I can attest that their waffles are amazing (check out their brie, basil and bacon waffle!) In addition though, Sweet Iron Waffles is dedicated to giving back.

Read on for our interview with Adrienne, the owner of Sweet Iron Waffles.

P*Seattle: Tell us a little about your business and how it got started Adrienne Jeffrey-SIW: Sweet Iron is a local business dedicated to bringing authentic Liege waffles to Seattle. My family lived in Belgium while I was a teenager, and I always dreamed of bringing this street snack to the states. After many years, and a traditional career path, my family inspired me to open Sweet Iron, and I couldn’t be happier. Our shop has been open now for over a year. We offer everything from a classic waffle dusted with powdered sugar to both sweet and savory options with a seasonal

P*Seattle: Why are you interested in philanthropy? What made you want to contribute to the Illuminate event? SIW: Giving back to the community that supports our business is important to us, and we believe that a small act motivated by love can have a resounding impact.  We wanted to contribute to the Illuminate event not only to support Foster Youth and the YMCA, but to demonstrate that small businesses can be involved in philanthropy.   P*Seattle: Have you or your business been involved in philanthropy in the past? SIW: We have been involved in philanthropy since our formation. This has included events for organizations such as El Centro de la Raza, UW Medicine, Camp Goodtimes, Garfield High School Jazz Club and several local elementary schools. We also like to support DIY charity events, and recently donated gift cards for an employee’s benefit show to raise money for her home country, Japan. P*Seattle: What other organizations or causes do you think people should know about? SIW: We have enjoyed working with all the wonderful groups listed above. We are particularly interested in charities that benefit children and underserved populations. Treehouse is an awesome local group because it has a direct impact on childrens’ lives, and reminds us that volunteering time is just as important as money and often more rewarding.

P*Seattle: Why do you think small businesses should be a part of philanthropy? SIW: Our philosophy is that small businesses are the backbone of the community and therefore need to be actively involved in making it stronger. We believe that for a business to have a soul, it needs to do more than turn a profit. Many people associate the word philanthropy with the very wealthy. We admire Philanthro because they are breaking down this stereotype by aiding small businesses and individuals in finding creative ways to give back.

If you’d like some Sweet Iron Waffles goodies and support the YMCA’s foster youth program, get in on our VIP package and join us at our Illuminate fundraiser on April 30th.

Don't forget to go to the Sweet Iron Waffles website and check out their full menu or head downtown to 3rd Ave between University and Seneca too.

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Interview: DJ Kazan - Renowned Seattle DJ and our volunteer DJ for Illuminate

DJ Kazan is donating his time to spin for our Illuminate event. That means instead of spending a few hundred dollars on a DJ, we can donate that money to the YMCA. Read about DJ Kazan and how philanthropy is a major piece of his life.

P*Seattle: Tell us a little about yourself and how you got into DJing DJ Kazan: Originally from India, moved to the US as a teen. My father is a pilot and my family is heavily involved in the Indian Bollywood film industry. So from a young age I was exposed to cultures, music and the arts. I picked up DJing in the early 90s. It seemed like music unified people, and gave them hope. I wanted to give that same feeling to people and produce music. DJing fulfilled that objective.

P*Seattle: Why are you interested in philanthropy? What made you want to volunteer your time for the Illuminate event? DJ Kazan: Philanthropy taps into the very essence of our humanity. Regardless of religion, race, culture, or nation, doing good for those in need is key to the survival of mankind.

I did the illuminate event for very selfish reasons. I get to do what I love with music and volunteering, and make a difference however minute or large, to help those in need. The “selfish” gratification I get from this is immeasurable. 

P*Seattle: How have you been involved in philanthropy in the past? DJ Kazan: All my life. I have witnessed first hand many atrocities and poverty all around the world. I used my status as an MTV DJ to start one of the first Aids awareness campaigns on public TV in India in the 90s. I was also a teacher for 4 yrs and gave as much as I could to the children that needed me. I’ve been heavily involved on varying levels for different causes. I started one of the first Bone Marrow awareness programs for South Asians in Washington state. Worked with the city of Seattle in establishing an ethnic arts program for kids. Donated my time as a DJ and simply as a citizen to “SWANK”, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other organizations. 

To me ones true worth & value as an individual can be determined by what they do for others.

P*Seattle: What other organizations or causes do you think people should know about? DJ Kazan: SWANK is a great organization. I would like to see more of an effort in increasing and recruiting people for Bone Marrow programs for minorities. I would also like to see education & implementation of better nutrition for our kids & learning institutions. Any organization that helps children, teens. Even war veterans, people that go through natural disasters. People in nations that don’t have water or food or basic health necessities. 

What do you think young professionals can get out of making philanthropy a bigger part of their lives?

DJ Kazan: To each his own. I cannot speak for anyone else. 

For some it’s an affirmation of their religious beliefs. 

For others balancing a hectic career with the philanthropic events may bring them a certain harmony in life.

Others can afford to do so, monetarily, or emotionally.

Some are simply driven to do this.

Whatever the reasons, the answer will not come from what can THEY “get out” of doing this. Instead their own personal answer will come from what are others in need getting from their actions of doing this.

Philanthropy does not recognize color, race, age, sex, nationality or religion.  It only recognizes humans in need ….what each individual gets out of making philanthropy a part of their lives is up to them to discover.

If you’d like to hear DJ Kazan and support the YMCA's foster youth program, join us at our Illuminate fundraiser on April 30th.

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Need some clothing ideas for our Illuminate black light party? Check out these outfits for inspiration.

Wear neon and white to Illuminate to glow in the blacklights.

If you haven't gotten tickets yet, pick up your Illuminate tickets here.

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One more event to go

It's been an amazing 3 months working with the YMCA to spread the word about the struggles and solutions to foster youth issues. We have one last event to go and I am more energized than ever with how many young professionals have come out in force for our social mixer and volunteer day to make a difference.

Read up on what foster youth face and what the Y is doing to help.

Finally, come out and support the Y's foster youth programs by joining us at our Illuminate fundraiser at the Hard Rock Cafe.

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Interview: YMCA's Sean Walsh - Director of Young Adult Services

Here's the first of a series of interviews in preparation for our Illuminate event. Learn about the people and hear the stories surrounding our event and foster youth cause. Our first interview is with Sean Walsh (left in the photo below) of the YMCA

P*Seattle: Many people only know the YMCA as a gym. How would you describe the Y to someone now? What services does the Y provide to the greater Seattle area? SW: The Y is all about building a stronger community, so everything we do goes back to that.  We’ve evolved away from being “young men’s Christian” organization and we pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming of people from all faiths, ages, races, sexual orientations, cultures, incomes and experiences.  We still respect our roots and how we were founded, while celebrating how today we’re an organization where everyone is welcome, and where we’re building a stronger community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Y in our region is doing some amazing things.  People living with diabetes or cancer come to the Y for support and exercise.  Families can call us through a crisis hotline to get clinical support when a child or teenager is in distress.  Parents living below the poverty level can trust that their children are thriving and learning in our after-school programs.  Teenagers who grew up in foster care can come to the Y and map out a plan for success after they leave care. P*Seattle: Tell us a little about yourself and your role at the YMCA SW: I love being part of organizations that are focused on public service. The people are passionate and fun and committed to making the world a better place.  The Y in particular feels like home because it’s about community, which I think is the most important thing there is.  A lot of my role is connecting the for-profit and government sectors as partners in our work.  P*Seattle: What kind of challenges do foster youth face in Seattle? SW: I think foster youth face many of the same challenges here as in other communities.  You remove a child from her or his birth family, there is going to be trauma.  In bad situations there is terrible abuse and neglect.  Even if it’s best and safest for the child to be removed, these are complex, painful experiences for children to cope with.  When a child or teenager is then moved to new families and schools, you compound the damage and distrust of adults.  It’s not surprising when a 17 year old comes to us and says “I’m behind in school, I’ve never had a job, I don’t know where my siblings live, I don’t know how to make a budget, and I have no idea where I’m going to live when I leave foster care.” P*Seattle: What does the Young Adult Services division of the YMCA do? SW: Young people can come to the Y and feel supported, learn life skills, ask for help finding biological family, find supportive housing, get an internship or scholarship, and connect with other young adults who have had similar experiences. 

Our young adult drop-in resource center is a hub and we provide services throughout the region.  We can’t and shouldn’t replace a parent, but we can open our doors and arms and be part of that “It Takes a Village” philosophy. P*Seattle: Why did the Y choose to look to Philanthro for help? SW: There is a great “mission fit” between our organizations that we realized in our first conversation.  We both want young people to connect with each other, learn new things and step outside their comfort zones.  I really admire the work Philanthro is doing and we’re honored they chose to work with the Y. P*Seattle: How come you want to reach out to young professionals? SW: Young professionals have so much energy and vision.  They want to innovate.  They want opportunities to engage in their communities.  We want them to know that whether it’s the Y or some other cause, their voice, their time, their philanthropy makes a huge impact. P*Seattle: What do you want people to know about foster youth? SW: Foster care should not be a stigma.  It’s a life experience that—even at its best—can make the road to adulthood a steep climb.  There are some great foster parents out there and we need even more.  There is child welfare reform underway that should improve the overall “system” of foster care.  There is lots to be hopeful about.  But the research showing that 3% of former foster youth have a college diploma is just one sign that there is much work to be done and our community needs to be there to offer support and life skills and opportunities.  P*Seattle: How can people help the Y and their programs? SW: Financial gifts help us make sure youth have housing and resources after they leave foster care.  In-kind donations like bedding, hygiene supplies and other daily living items are very helpful.  There are ongoing and one-time opportunities to volunteer.  Connections to businesses and corporations that are interested in partnering as sponsors, internship hosts and others are welcome.  And letting foster youth know the Y is here as a resource and support if they need it.

Learn more about the Y's Young Adult Services at their website. If you'd like to support the Y, please join us at our Illuminate fundraiser on April 30th.