Empowering Youth and Families Outreach

Our Mission

Empowering Youth and Families Outreach's mission is to make a lifelong impact in the lives of under-served youth by offering multifaceted programming that raises resilient leaders who are empowered to achieve their dreams. EYFO fulfills this mission by providing services to over 5,000 youth and their families over the past 20 years, who participate in our various educational programs

Get That GIVING Feeling

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela

Unlocking Potential: One Scholarship at a Time

In 2016, EYFO began offering college scholarships to high school students because we saw the need to help them cover costs. To do so, we reached out to supporters like you, resulting in your generous donations, which funded 54 scholarships totaling over $100,000

 Southern UniversityYour role in this endeavor is very important. By donating, you are directly impacting the lives of our youth. We need your help to raise $31,000, a challenging but necessary goal supporting EYFO's Scholarships. All funds will be awarded to our students in June 2024.

About Empowering Youth & Families Outreach
Empowering Youth and Families Outreach (EYFO.org) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in its 20th year of operation. EYFO facilitates programs for youth preschool through college. John and Charlett Shoecraft, the founders, have over 27 years of experience running community-based programs for youth and families in the Seattle, Renton, and Federal Way cities of King County in Washington state.

EYFO was birthed because we recognized youth and their families face tough challenges that can sometimes lead to making difficult choices. As a result, the consequences are often tragic and can have long-lasting effects. EYFO's vision for the youth we serve is to create a positive model for kids to pattern themselves after and to train and equip our youth to have strong values and principles as a foundation for their lives.

EYFO has worked to fulfill our vision and mission by providing services to over 5,000 youth and their families over the past 20+ years, who participate in our various offerings, including College and Career Readiness, Financial Literacy, and Youth Entrepreneurial Programs.

Testimonial - EYFO Alumni Daria "Mrs. Charlett Shoecraft, thanks for the EYFO scholarship... The money will be very helpful for my future college at Seattle University.  I grew up with EYFO, which built my self-esteem, confidence, and socializing skills. I also had the opportunity to get a summer job at EYFO. I appreciate you and the EYFO programs that helped me throughout the years, from preschool until graduation from high school. Thanks for all you do."

Students Who Participate in EYFO Programs 

- 100% Graduate from High School ~~ 98% Attend College ~~ 99% Establish Successful Careers ~~ 

65% Return to EYFO to Work or Volunteer

EYFO provides year-round affordable literacy /leadership programs to youth in the Greater King County area of Seattle, Washington. Each year, we: 

•  Facilitate outreach programs to youth and their families.
•  Offer educational literacy programs to youth.
•  Serve up to 500 youth who participate in our multifaceted programs.
•  Our families have varying economic backgrounds; some of our youth are at-risk and come from predominantly low-income single-parent households, homeless, foster care, and parents who are incarcerated.

The Community Need
Our programs help youth who live in underserved neighborhoods, providing a safe environment for youth to retreat to. Our Summer Literacy Program allows us to impact the lives of our young people who often do poorly in school and are losing academic ground. We partner with some amazing college students from Seattle Pacific University who provide tutoring in Reading, Math, Science, and Computer skills. 

EYFO Provides Supportive Services 
      •  Preventative programs for at-risk youth
      •  Certified Teachers
      •  Social Workers,
      •  Para Professionals

Impacting Lives
We measure our success based on the number of returning youth and families who come back to give back to our various programs as well as the pre-evaluations prior to the start of our various programs and also returning to cheer on and support the youth aft a program.