Mrs. A., if people can be safe places, you’re my safe place.

When I was in high school, I was dealing with problems at home, and I had no interest in school. I was struggling with anxiety, depression, and anger. I was making bad decisions until I was referred to my school’s Youth First Social Worker.

I don’t think I would have graduated without her support.

Having a Youth First Social Worker in the building is just invaluable. I really believe it helps our students with challenges better adjust so they can perform in school, so they can see their potential, and they have a person to work with them on a very consistent basis. We’re helping a lot of kids, and we’re making an investment in our entire community one family at a time.

Mrs. C., when I talk to you I feel brave.

To be able to have a dedicated Youth First Social Worker in our schools to reach our young people at a crucial time in their lives is a sound investment.

I feel it is vitally important to have availability and access to Youth First Social Workers in all the schools and in as many youth programs as possible. It literally saved my daughter’s life and provided me with a sounding board and a helping hand during the rough patches when I didn’t know where to turn.

You make my heart feel good.

Youth First has helped me greatly. Working with my Youth First Social Worker has helped me to actually start loving myself again. Last year I was severely depressed, had severely self-harmed, and wasn’t eating nearly as much as I should have been. Now I am in a much better place mentally. I am no longer under depression’s control.

I was dealing with low self-esteem due to my peers cyber-bullying me. After meeting with my school’s Youth First Social Worker, my life changed for the better, leaving me confident in myself, and most importantly, happy.

Working with my Youth First Social Worker helped me learn new strategies and learn how to control my anger and find other ways to deal with my stress and emotions without taking it out on other people.