The Washington State Patrol Troopers Association (WSPTA) invited a youth group from the Atlantic Street Center to a Seattle Mariners baseball game. This was part of the WSPTA’s charitable giving program. The partnership we have with the Moyer Foundation entitled the WSPTA to use the Jamie Moyer suite located in Safeco field. The luxury suite has can accommodate 22 attendees comfortably. The food and beverages were provided by the WSPTA. The Mariner Moose made a surprise appearance and greeted the guests. The ages of the invited guests from the center ranged from six to eighteen years of age. Teresa Everett is an adult volunteer and chaperone at the center. Teresa assisted in the selection of the guests and helped organize the transportation.

The Atlantic Street Center believes that “Kids Come First”

Homelessness, poverty, drugs, gangs, crime, and violence are all issues that too many young people face in the community. Atlantic Street Center focuses on these tough problems, directing our resources toward underprivileged children and youth, particularly those of African American and minority descent in Seattle's central and south neighborhoods. At ASC they believe every child is valuable and has unlimited potential if given the right support and tools to succeed.

Their mission is simple and focused - to help families and communities raise healthy, self-sufficient children and youth. But, in these complex times there are rarely quick, easy solutions. So, they offer the depth and breadth of services necessary to provide lasting positive changes for children and families.

The approach is twofold. One is to offer in-depth counseling services to stabilize families and help children and teenagers address difficult challenges. Second, offer youth and family leadership development programs that build skills, strengthen families, and promote self-improvement.

The programs include counseling, case management, support groups, tutoring, social skills development, self-improvement classes, cultural events, a summer school, social and recreational activities, and more. Atlantic Street Center is committed to helping families succeed. An important tool in this effort is family centers that offer opportunities for fellowship, education, support, and access to critical resources. They support two family centers - NewHolly Youth and Family Center and Rainier Beach Family Center. Each offers a wide-range of services to families and children in their surrounding neighborhoods.

Activities range from classes in parenting, financial management, and English as a Second Language to cultural events and celebrations. Each family center also offers a family support worker who counsels and aids families with challenges they may be facing. Families are encouraged to help with planning and organizing so that the activities offered can best support the needs of participants.

Both of ASC's family centers are founded on the Principles of Family Support Practice developed by Family Support America. Those principles are:

• Staff and families work together in relationships based on equality and respect.
• Staff enhances families' capacity to support the growth and development of all family members - adults, youth & children.
• Families are resources to their own members, to other families, to programs and to communities.
• Programs affirm and strengthen families' cultural, racial, and linguistic identities and enhance their ability to function in a multicultural society.
• Programs are embedded in their communities and contribute to the community-building process.
• Programs advocate with families for services and systems that are fair, responsive, and accountable to the families served.
• Practitioners work with families to mobilize formal and informal resources to support family development.
• Programs are flexible and continually responsive to emerging family and community issues.
• Principles of family support are modeled in all program activities, including planning, governance, and administration.

Their clients face a wide variety of personal, emotional, and financial challenges. Because no one solution will work for everybody, they customize services. Case Managers work one-on-one with children and families to help them identify needs, access services, assess options, and create action plans for positive changes. They also help families meet basic food and shelter needs while advocating for them with schools, employers, landlords, and others.

When appropriate, ASC's therapists provide child and family counseling for depression, anger management, and coping with difficult issues such as divorce, domestic violence, loss, and abuse. Therapists also lead support groups, social-skills classes, and family communication workshops.

Together, Case Managers and Therapists provide and coordinate a comprehensive set of services that helps each child and family face their challenges head-on.

Atlantic Street center is clearly an asset to the community and the WSPTA is proud to partner with this fine organization.