We partner with families who survive on the edge of homelessness. Nearly all of them earn less than 30% of median income—that is less than $25,300 for a family of four. The vast majority does not have enough food or clothing, and all of our children are eligible for free or reduced lunch at school.

We don’t work with families who are “easy” to help—we partner with families who the DSHS, schools, and the police say need us the most.

We can see the positive impact our programs have—but for over 10 years we have also carefully evaluated program effectiveness.

Children

• Children improve, on average, one and a half grade levels in reading (DAR Reading Assessment)
• 60% improve their attendance and behavior at school (RMC Research Corp)
• Children go from being, on average, more than a grade level behind to being almost at grade level by the end of the year (DAR Reading Assessment)

Families

• 72% of families said that they increased their involvement in their children’s reading and homework

• 80% of families feel that safer in their community
• 84% of families are better able to meet their basic needs (NF Survey)

Community

• More than 60% of residents increase attendance at community events (NF Survey)
• 77% of residents more feel that more people in their neighborhood care about them (NF Survey)

To learn more about New Futures commitment to evaluating our programs, visit our Evaluation Page.

What local leaders say about New Futures

Alan Spicciati, Interim Superintendent, Highline School District
“Have you heard of New Futures? I visited the site at The Heights and was struck by a familiar feeling, as my family lived in a large apartment complex from when I was six until after I had graduated college. The Heights provides New Futures with an entire fourplex of apartments from which to operate. Each has a familiar apartment feel of a kitchen, living room, and bedrooms, and yet is transformed into a combination school, computer lab, cafeteria, and study hall.

“I was impressed by many things on my short visit. Among them were the quality of the tutors, including a college aged student who is able to work with high school students on subjects such as biology, and the computer lab, which allows students to access the same adaptive math software that students work on during the day at Seahurst Elementary. In fact, Seahurst Principal Chris Larsen and Sylvester Principal Vicki Fisher have both worked closely with New Futures over the years to coordinate learning experiences. New Futures is mostly privately funded, and if you’re so inclined, I recommend you get involved!”

James Graddon, Chief of Police, City of SeaTac
Two teenage New Futures program participants worked closely on a project with the City of SeaTac police, and Chief Gordon said, “They added a wonderfully fresh perspective to all of our discussions. Their engagement in our efforts brought with it a youthful vibrancy and hope that would not have been present otherwise. Their ability to offer thoughts and ideas without hesitation to an audience of adults was truly remarkable. I believe it speaks directly to the positive self image and attitude that New Futures fosters in their program participants. We have been the better and richer for it.”