Federal Way Youth Programs
UniteFW was created to bring together the resources in Federal Way which help our youth become involved in positive, rewarding activities outside of school. This list is not yet complete - we are finding new resources every day.
These resources can help prevent youth crime, violence, or gang activity by reaching youth before they are attracted to those negative behaviors. Youth are looking for belonging and fun, among other things. UniteFW showcases programs and organizations that provide outlets for youth through mentoring, sports, tutoring, etc. These resources are also here to help parents, teachers, and community members contribute to keeping every child safe.
See below for programs in our children’s schools and what the city has to offer. Then, also check out some national programs, summer programs, the parents’ page, and additional resources for information on gang and youth violence prevention.
- AmeriCorps
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound
- Boys & Girls Club and EX3 Teen Center
- Communities In Schools
- Federal Way Symphony Summer Music Camp
- King County Libraries
- Valley Cities
- Woodstone Credit Union
- Young Life
- Youth Build
- Youth Employment Services (YES!)
AmeriCorps works with the Federal Way Public Schools to offer students academic tutoring before and after school. There are four community-based after-school programs: (1) Camelot Square, (2) Forest Cove, (3) Westway, and (4) EX3 Ron Sandwith Teen Center (for grades 6-12 only). For more information, see details here or call 253-945-2271.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound provides an adult mentor for every child who needs or wants one. Mentoring is a proven strategy that changes how children grow up by meeting critical needs and engaging all levels of community. Big Brothers Big Sisters helps children build the attitudes and behaviors needed to stay in school, succeed academically, make healthy choices, and create promising futures. Mark Twain Elementary Scool in Federal Way is participating in the school-based mentoring program. For more information, call 206-763-9060.
Boys & Girls clubs give kids a place to call their own. Kids can get help with homework, have fun, get a hot meal, be part of a team, be creative, participate in athletics, or just hang out. It is a fun, inclusive, inspiring, and safe place.
The EX3 Ron Sandwith Teen Center is part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County and is a stand-alone facility devoted entirely to teens grades 6 through 12. They offer daily after-school programs that include game room tournaments, open-gym, cooking classes, art classes, a music studio, free homework help, and much more! For more information, call 253-681-6500.
CIS’s main goal is to keep students in school. It is the only dropout prevention program in the nation proven to increase graduation rates. It leverages the community to get kids what they need, when they need it - freeing teachers to focus on teaching. Help can be as simple as providing eyeglasses to a child in need or as intensive as after-school tutoring; it all depends on the child.
The CIS Mentoring Program is a one-to-one, school based mentoring program. Mentors encourage success in school and life by being positive role models who support young people’s efforts and offer guidance through life’s challenges. Mentors meet with students for an hour one day per week at school and help them constructively discover their greatest potential. For more information, call 253-528-0847.
The Symphony offers a week long summer music camp for students grade 5 through 12. The camp features a masterclass, music theory lessons, and individualized attention. Scholarships are available. For more information, call the Symphony Office at 253-529-9857.
The Study Zone at the 320th Library is a great place for students to study, do homework and get help with their questions. Volunteer tutors provide free homework help during Study Zone hours. Students can find help in all subject areas, including Math, Science and WASL and SAT test preparation. For more information, and specific days and times, please call 253-839-0257.
In addition, the library at 320th has some free programs for teens: Anime Club and GameOn! Video Games.
For the Anime Club, teens in middle school & high school can drop in to munch on popcorn and watch Anime with other like-minded fans. Meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 6:30 - 8 pm. No need to register - teens can just drop in! (Please note that the Anime Club will be held at the 320th Library on May 19th and June 16th; however, from July 21st onward it will be at the Federal Way Library located at 34200 1st Way S, Federal Way, 253-838-3668).
During GameOn!, the meeting rooms get turned into an arcade, where there is video gaming for teens in middle school & high school. With Wii, Xbox 360, Playstation, Guitar Hero, RockBand, Dance Dance Revolution, and more! Plus, free food. No need to register...teens can drop in the 3rd and 4th Thursday of each month between 4 - 5:30 pm.
Federal Way Youth & Family Services (FWYFS) is a division of Valley Cities Counseling & Consultation. FWYFS offers free after school drop-in help with homework at Laurelwood Gardens, 29509 21st Ave S. Federal Way. Parenting classes (English and Spanish) are also offered free to the community. Also, confidential counseling available for teens 13 and up. Call 253-939-4055 for details.
Girls’ Circle is a support program for teenage girls 13-18 that fosters self-esteem and encourages self-expression facilitated by a family support specialist. It is a 10 week group program approved by the FW Public Schools for elective credit toward graduation requirements. Girls’ Circle is currently at Thomas Jefferson High School.
Valley Cities’ free summer lunch program is for kids 1-18. It runs June 21-August 12 at three family support centers in Federal Way: Laurelwood Gardens, Evergreen Court, and Kings Court. Refer to this flyer or call Patrice Cade at 253-945-6032 for details.
Woodstone provides a free workshop for high school students to learn about actionable tools and knowledge to effectively manage money. The fun and interactive course turns learning into actions that result in positive financial habits for life. Students will learn to create a financial plan, create a budget, and learn to use financial services. Check here for future class dates.
Young Life is a Christian organization that starts with adults concerned enough about kids to go to them on their turf and in their culture, building bridges through authentic friendship. These relationships don’t happen overnight; they take time, patience, trust, and consistency. Adults listen to kids’ stories and learn what’s important to them by genuinely care about their joys, triumphs, heartaches, and setbacks.
Young Life believes in the power of presence. Kids’ lives are dramatically impacted when caring adults come alongside them, sharing God’s love with them. Because their leader believes in them, they begin to see that their lives have great worth, meaning and purpose. There are clubs at four Federal Way high schools and two middle schools. For more information, call 253-946-5902.
YouthBuild is a Tacoma Goodwill program which serves 18-24 year olds who are working toward their GED, while learning job skills by building affordable housing for homeless and low-income families. Strong emphasis is placed on leadership development and community service. The first 3 weeks of the program (called Mental Toughness) is where the candidates are selected for the YouthBuild cycle.
The program is free. It even offers a paid stipend while requiring a daily commitment over 8 months alternating between GED classroom instruction and work in the field. Please contact Devin Howell at 253-838-6810 for more information.
The YES! program is an education and employment services opportunity for at-risk youth ages 14-21 in South King County. This program has been provided since 2008 through the Multi-Service Center in Federal Way.
Services include GED tutoring, skills assessment and career exploration, pre-employment skills training, referrals to employers, paid work internships, life skills training, etc. Services are free. Contact Nicki Johnson, Youth Connections Coordinator at 253-248-1920 x101 or email Nicki Johnson for more information.