The Union, November 26, 2025 Submitted by Bright Futures for Youth
Several dozen girls enjoyed The Friendship Club’s annual friendsgiving dinner, where staff and volunteers prepared a holiday meal. Donors and sponsors make the annual event possible. More than 100 young people attended the recent friendsgiving dinners at the NEO Youth Center in Grass Valley. The annual events allow kids to celebrate the holiday with their friends – and kick-off the holiday season. Courtesy photo
Anxiety, depression, loneliness and stress are some of the challenges that face youth today. It has never been more difficult to be a child or young adult.
Bright Futures for Youth is committed to connecting with young people in fun, safe and supervised settings, where they build relationships and pursue new interests. An integral part of our program is the interaction between young people and adult role models.
Our mission is to ignite the potential of youth today for vibrant communities tomorrow.
Sometimes our efforts to meet that mission are straightforward, such as an after-school program, music lessons or offering young people a place to go in the evenings, weekends and summer.
Other times, our efforts are desperately needed right away, like when we are addressing homelessness and hunger.
And Bright Futures for Youth’s three core programs – The Friendship Club, NEO and SAFE – have never been more in demand. About 600 and young adults access our programs every month.
Whatever is needed, Bright Futures provides, including free clothes and food, ensuring access to health care and counseling, and helping youth define a path for their future.
Positive experiences, environments and relationships are an important foundation for youth.
Bright Futures for Youth has been changing the lives of youth since 2020 and has grown to meet critical needs, including:
Five times more kids participating in our programs today than five years ago
300% increase in meals served (18,000 meals this year).
500 youth helped by SAFE (since 2020). Currently 100
Impressive numbers and evidence that Bright Futures has become the go-to place for young people. But behind each one, there is a young person whose life has been impacted by the organization.
While community donations from individuals and businesses comprise much of Bright Futures for Youth’s budget, government and private-sector grants have played a huge role in our growth. Some of those public funding opportunities are not being renewed, leaving our community’s youth vulnerable.
Your support helps every day, in so many ways. Just a few examples:
- We connect with about one of every 12 young people monthly in Nevada County.
- About 60 children and young people come to the NEO Youth Center every weekday.
- More than 18,000 healthy meals are prepared in our kitchen.
- The SAFE program helps hundreds of young people experiencing housing instability, provides basic needs – even housing – and ensures access to community services.
- The Friendship Club offers year-round academic, social and emotional support to 100 girls every week.
- Friday Night Live is a county-funded, on-campus program that encourages 4-12th grade students to live healthy lives without substance abuse. More than 100 youth participate on four campuses.
But we cannot do this alone. We need your help.
After three decades, Bright Futures continues to embrace new ways to connect with and help young people build a foundation for success in our community. You have the power to make a difference.
Please join us and donate today at https://bffyouth.org/donate/ and call us to learn more at 530-265-4311. Thank you for investing in the next generation.