Mockingbird Times May 2012

Jobs, Journalism, Justice

Advisory Board

Articles by Jim Theofelis

Committing to end youth and young adult homelessness by 2022

By Jim Theofelis | October 31, 2018

COMMENTARY

At any given moment, there are 13,000 to 15,000 unaccompanied youth and young adults in our state who are experiencing homelessness.

These young people are in communities across Washington, in both rural and urban areas. They are our students, our neighbors, our friends and our children. ...

Olympia must ensure that foster and homeless youth are a priority

By Jim Theofelis | January 21, 2015

On Jan. 12, the Washington State Legislature embarked on what many predict will be the most challenging and contentious legislative session in decades. Last September, the state Supreme Court held legislators in contempt for failing to make enough progress toward fully funding public education. With legislators’ attention primarily focused on meeting that mandate and avoiding possible sanctions, long-time social service partners and allies may be at odds for dwindling funds. ...

Ending homelessness for Washington’s young people in 2013 will require an all-out effort

By Jim Theofelis | January 16, 2013

I founded The Mockingbird Society in 2001 to ensure vulnerable children and youth are not deserted by the very systems put in place to serve their needs. With more than 30 years of experience as a therapist for children, young people and families, I have seen firsthand a foster care system that too often transitions youth out of care and into homelessness. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that these youth — who enter foster care through no fault of their own — receive the same opportunities to succeed as any other child. ...