Friends of ECHO GLEN

Helping teens in the Washington State juvenile justice system

Friends of Echo Glen is a 100% volunteer community that exists with the sole purpose of helping the youth at Echo Glen Juvenile Detention Center to rewrite the scripts of their lives. These teens have immense untapped potential. We help them gain self-esteem by providing essential building blocks for healthy development thus breaking the cycle of neglect and abuse.

Learn More About Echo Glen >

Current Greatest Need

90%

of young people in the juvenile justice system have experienced childhood trauma such as homelessness, gang violence, and physical and sexual abuse — which affects almost all of the incarcerated girls. Many of their families have also experienced inter-generational trauma.

Friends of ECHO GLEN

of young people in the juvenile justice system have experienced childhood trauma such as homelessness, gang violence, and physical and sexual abuse — which affects almost all of the incarcerated girls. Many of their families have also experienced inter-generational trauma.

Here are some opportunities to show these appreciative youths that you care:

NEWEST VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES – Join the pilot teams

Staff Wellness Team

Help boost the spiritual, emotional, mental, & physical health of the staff which in turn will be a huge boost to the youth’s overall health.

EDIBLE SCHOOLYARD PROJECT

Cultural Heritage Celebrations

DEVELOPMENT (Must be 21 & pass a background check)

SOCIAL & BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

Help youth build confidence for every situation. We’re sure you’ll learn a new thing or two with the provided curriculum.

MONEY SMARTS

Coach youth to manage their money to give them a higher standard of living, financial independence and more freedom to choose their path.

Career Education

Share information about your career choice and help inspire youth to imagine and then define what their ideal crime-free future might look like. February, June, and October.

MENTORING

Meet once a week to mentor a youth and help them to create a personal re-entry action plan.

Computer Skills

Teach youth valuable computer skills that will help them launch into successful careers.

Canine Connection

Help the program that pairs dogs with troubled kids.

ARTS (Must be 21 & pass a background check)

Art Docent

No artistic talent required! Lesson plans and supplies are provided—be a lead docent or assist.

Cooking

Help the youth to learn to read and cook simple but nutritional recipes.

Sewing

Help us to develop a fashion design vocational program that teaches interested youth the many facets within this field including, basics of sewing.

Music

We’ve received donations of drum sets, guitars (acoustic and electric) pianos, a keyboard, and an African drum. Now all we need is volunteers to teach our residents how to play them!

Photography

Help our residents learn to take and develop photos and create short videos of the various events on campus.

RECREATIONAL (Must be 21 & pass a background check)

Community Service Socials

Temporarily on hold

Come chat with 3 or 4 youth while helping them with a project that helps others.

Book Club

Temporarily on hold

Meet with a small group of kids every week or every other week. You and the youth choose the book, timing is somewhat flexible

Annual Golf Clinics

If you have even a slight ability to swing a golf club, please join us and help inspire a child to find a new talent or hobby. Week in August to be announced soon.

WAYS TO GIVE – great for all ages

Youth Returning to Their Communities

Give a backpack & schools supplies to a student-in-need returning to his home school.

Pandemic Wish List

Help the staff & teachers to keep the youth mentally, emotionally & physically engaged.

Birthday Cakes & Cards

Encourage youth on their birthdays with a store-bought cake and/or cards