Bright Futures for Youth, the nonprofit organization formed with the merger of The Friendship Club and NEO Youth (New Events and Opportunities) this past summer, has debuted its website and social media platforms – detailing a wide range of efforts and programs to help meet the increasing needs of youth in Nevada County.
Bright Futures for Youth (bffyouth.org) provides children and young adults year-round academic, social and emotional support; access to counseling, health care and healthy meals; life-skills training; after-school activities; summer camps and workshops; and career education. The organization’s three programs – The Friendship Club, NEO and SAFE (Stability, Access, Foundation and Empowerment) – will serve several hundred youth in 2021.
“Our youth are facing many challenges that are part of growing up and face some extreme obstacles, from anxiety and depression to family trauma and poverty,” said Jennifer Litton Singer, Executive Director of Bright Futures for Youth. “The Friendship Club and NEO have decades of experience working with youth, their families, schools and the community.”
The new website details efforts – such as the Distance Learning Center and Youth Hub at the Nevada County Fairgrounds – includes a calendar of events and success stories, and shares how to get involved through donations, sponsorships and/or volunteering.
Bright Futures for Youth will also share information and the latest news on Facebook and Instagram. The community is encouraged to follow and like the social media accounts. NEO’s Facebook page will remain.
“Bright Futures for Youth continues to expand and introduce new efforts to help children and young adults,” Litton Singer said. “We encourage everyone to check out the new website and social media pages to learn about our programs and expanding mission.”
Bright Futures for Youth’s efforts include providing several thousand healthy meals every year to youth – and quite often their family members – and helping those experiencing homelessness, an increasing issue in Nevada County, especially with the pandemic-prompted recession and still-struggling economy.
“The Covid pandemic has affected many youth in numerous ways, making our organization more important than ever to help them and their families during such a challenging period,” said Machen MacDonald, Board President of Bright Futures for Youth. “We will continue to provide a far range of services so young people get what they need today to help them thrive tomorrow.”
For more information, contact Cheryl Rubin with Bright Futures for Youth at 530-265-4311, ext. 206, or cherylr@bffyouth.org.