Community Corner highlights the work of Seattle Human Services’ community partners in their own words. Our goal is to gather stories and photos that illustrate their amazing work on behalf of the people of Seattle. This post was written by staff at Empowering Youth and Families Outreach.
What is the role your organization fulfills in your community?
Empowering Youth and Families Outreach (EYFO) plays a vital role in South Seattle by providing comprehensive support systems that empower BIPOC youth to thrive. For nearly 25 years, we have been a cornerstone of the community, offering high-quality before-school, after-school, and summer programming for school-aged children, college students, and young adults.
At EYFO, we believe in raising resilient leaders equipped to achieve their dreams and contribute to a more just and humane world. We work to eliminate the systemic barriers that prevent youth of color from reaching their full potential by ensuring they receive the guidance, resources, and opportunities needed to identify and pursue their aspirations. Rooted in the Afro-Indigenous tradition of the village support system, our programs provide a strong network of mentorship, skill-building, and personal development.
Our offerings span a wide range of critical services, including preschool, K-12 education support, college and career coaching, leadership development, mentoring, parenting workshops, sports programs, service learning, and cultural and educational enrichment experiences such as overnight camps and an 8-week, full-day summer program.
How does your partnership with Seattle Human Services (HSD) assist you in that role?
One of the invisible consequences of gentrification in South Seattle has been the displacement of Black-owned childcare providers and community-based organizations. As housing costs rise and longstanding institutions disappear, families are left with fewer accessible options for childcare, academic support, college and career readiness, and youth enrichment programs. Without intentional investment in community-led solutions, these disparities will only deepen.
HSD’s funding allows us to keep our programs free and accessible, removing financial barriers for families who need them most. Investment in community-rooted organizations like EYFO is not just about funding services—it’s about ensuring that South Seattle remains a place where BIPOC families can thrive, despite the forces of gentrification and systemic inequities. By supporting our work, HSD helps preserve the fabric of our community and creates long-term opportunities for the next generation.
What is your organization’s origin story?
Empowering Youth and Families Outreach (EYFO) was founded by Charlett Shoecraft, an African American mother of six and a Central District native, whose childhood was shaped by trauma and systemic injustice. She knew firsthand the fears and challenges that Black parents face—raising children in a world that too often criminalizes them, over-disciplines them in schools, and denies them the safety and joy of childhood.
EYFO was born out of a deep need for a community-driven space where Black children could be seen, nurtured, and valued—free from judgment, harm, or fear. Many Black parents hesitate to send their children into institutions that have historically failed them, and many have grown distrustful of intergenerational spaces where they expect to be scrutinized rather than supported. EYFO was created as a sanctuary—a space co-designed with families to foster trust, affirm cultural identity, and strengthen the village of support that every child and parent deserves.
We do more than provide programming—we restore agency to parents, affirming that they know their children best. We do not impose a single “right” way to raise or educate a child but instead create opportunities for deeper learning, self-trust, and attunement. Our programs are led by veteran parents and community elders who serve as conduits of generational wisdom, guiding and uplifting both youth and families.
How has your organization grown or developed in recent years?
When EYFO was founded in 2001, we were driven by a simple but urgent mission: to provide safe, affordable out-of-school programming for low-income families in South Seattle. With limited resources, we operated out of church basements and attics, making do with whatever space we could find. For over a decade, we rented an 800-square-foot space, always facing the looming threat of displacement and struggling to meet the growing needs of our community.
We never imagined having a space of our own—a facility designed to truly serve our youth and families. But thanks to the overwhelming support of our community, that dream became a reality. In 2024, we opened the EYFO Youth Enrichment Center, a permanent 8,400-square-foot multi-use facility in South Seattle.
This center is a game-changer. With six classrooms—including dedicated spaces for toddlers, preschoolers, school-age children, and teens—we can now run cradle-to-career programs simultaneously. We have expanded our reach, strengthened our impact, and deepened our commitment to providing free and affordable programs that disrupt cycles of poverty and create opportunities for success.
Why is it important for HSD and City of Seattle taxpayers to invest in community-led work?
EYFO’s programs help combat the school-to-prison pipeline by offering young people structured mentorship, skill-building opportunities, and meaningful economic engagement. By integrating job training, entrepreneurial support, college and career preparation, and financial wellness education, we provide youth with tangible alternatives to systemic barriers that often push them out of school and into the justice system.
City investment in community-led initiatives like those provided by EYFO is an investment in Seattle’s future. When we equip young people with the knowledge, resources, and support to succeed, they, in turn, contribute to a stronger, more equitable economy. These investments reduce reliance on social services, lower incarceration rates, and create opportunities for homeownership and financial independence—benefiting the entire community.
How do your organization’s programs and services help to reduce the disparities experienced by people of color living in our region?
Our Cop Every Opp (CEO) program and EYFO Entrepreneurs initiative are two key programs that equip youth with the skills, resources, and opportunities necessary to break cycles of poverty and access pathways to success.
EYFO Entrepreneurs empowers Black middle and high school girls with the tools to start and sustain their own businesses. Through mentorship from Black business professionals, they learn sales, marketing, financial management, and product development. Participants design and sell their products through an online store and local events, keeping 100% of profits in personal bank accounts to build financial independence. This program ensures that young Black women can navigate and leverage the economic system for long-term wealth-building.
CEO is a college and career readiness program designed to close educational and employment gaps for low-income BIPOC youth (ages 16-21). It provides hands-on support through college visits, financial aid and scholarship guidance, job readiness training, internships, and one-on-one case management. The program removes financial, academic, and informational barriers, ensuring that participants have the knowledge, confidence, and resources to complete high school, persist in post-secondary education, and access high-wage careers.
Tell us an example of how an HSD-funded program or service impacted one of your community members.
We have transformed lives through our HSD-funded Cop Every Opp (CEO) program by providing individualized support to youth facing systemic barriers. These stories illustrate how CEO provides long-term, tailored support that helps youth overcome obstacles, build confidence, and achieve their goals.
For example, Seku had no interest in college—his dream was to create music and own a business. Through CEO, he discovered opportunities like Residency Seattle and the Seattle University Business Institute. We helped secure a scholarship for him, covering the remaining $150 gap that made the difference between attending and missing out. These experiences solidified his decision to pursue a degree in audio engineering and business.
Tre, a foster youth with a learning disability, came to CEO as a sophomore with a 1.6 GPA and little hope for his future. He lacked a birth certificate, which prevented him from getting a bank account, and his IEP accommodations were not being met. We connected him with a tutor, advocated for his needs in school, and helped him navigate essential life tasks like obtaining identification and opening a bank account. Through EYFO’s summer internship, he found motivation and improved his grades. By his senior year, we guided him through FAFSA and Washington Promise applications, and he is now enrolled at Bellevue College.
Nya, a first-generation college student, had no roadmap for applying to or affording college. As part of CEO’s inaugural cohort, she attended out-of-state college tours and financial literacy workshops and gained work experience through our summer internship. With our support, she applied for over 50 scholarships, securing full funding for her first year. Even after enrolling, she reached back out for guidance in transferring to Howard University, where she is now a student.
What motivates your staff or keeps you going?
Our work is deeply personal, and that is what keeps us going. Our staff and leadership are not just professionals in this field—they are community members who share the lived experiences of the youth and families we serve. Many of our staff and Board members are current or former parents of program participants, and a significant portion of our team is hired directly from the housing complex where we are based.
Because of this, our team understands firsthand what it means to navigate systemic barriers—whether it’s being profiled in public spaces, facing challenges in the education system, or struggling with food and housing insecurity. We know what it feels like to be told we don’t belong, and we are committed to ensuring that every young person in our community knows that they do.
What drives us is the opportunity to create spaces where our youth feel safe, valued, and empowered to dream big. Seeing our long-time programs grow, watching our young leaders step into their power, and witnessing the transformation of families who once felt disconnected but now have a strong village of support—this is what fuels our work every day. We are excited about the future, not just because of new opportunities but because we know that every step forward strengthens the foundation for generations to come.