Echo Glen is a Washington State Juvenile Detention facility and a school operated by the Issaquah School District. There are approximately 135 youth as young as 10 and up to 20 years old that come from every part of the state; all have great untapped potential. National studies show that 80 to 85% of young people in the juvenile justice system have at one time been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. This seems to be a continuous cycle – one that Echo Glen staff is determined to break. These kids crave positive attention from adults and need good role models. Nearly all have dangerously low self-esteem.

These kids interpret the time you invest with them as demonstrating that you believe they have value; something most have not heard before. Everything we volunteers do with the kids is with the goal of helping them towards becoming successful contributing adults rather than staying on the path that led them to incarceration.

Background checks are required and you must over 21 to interact with the youth, but prep work can be done by any age or group. Volunteer opportunities listed here: http://www.smilepower.org/Echo_Glen_Children_s_Ctr.html