Bellevue Firefighters Community Support Foundation have provided young teens and siblings of Youth Eastside Services’ (YES) Success Mentoring program with backpacks filled with needed school supplies. The youth were able to “shop” for their supplies at a special Back-to-School Party held at YES’ Bellevue offices August 11.

Due to an increased need for expensive school supplies like flash drives and scientific calculators, the firefighters doubled what they spent last year to $4,000. The Overlake Fred Meyer helped the funds go farther by offering extensive discounts.

This is the eighth year the firefighters have supported YES youth with school supplies and it’s the largest gift the foundation makes.

“The cost of supplies is out of reach for many single-parent families and we’re really happy to be able to help out like this and give our youth every advantage in school,” says Capt. Bruce Kroon secretary and treasurer for the foundation.

In all 75 teens and their siblings received supplies. Most are part of the YES Success Mentoring program which matches youth from single parent households with adults who want to make a positive impact in their lives. Other beneficiaries of the backpacks included teens from YES outreach programs in schools, community centers and with Latino youth.

“The backpacks help fill a need for these kids and give us a means to bring the mentors and mentees together to celebrate before school begins,” says Mary Erickson, the Success Mentor Coordinator at YES.

Erickson added that there is a shortage of mentors for the program and wait times to match boys with a male mentor can be up to three years. Those interested in becoming mentors can learn more by calling YES at 425-747-4937 or online at youtheastsideservices.org.