Bainbridge Island North Kitsap Interfaith Council 

Our Commitment

IFC strongly supports and encourages our faith communities and their members to support the positive nurture and development of all young people in our communities.

Faith Group Youth Programs

IFC has compiled and maintains descriptions of opportunities for young people that are offered by 16 different faith groups in our areas. These include information about age groups and scheduling for youth classes and meetings, and youth social, recreational and community service activities. We do this because we believe that for young people, being part of a faith group can be significantly enriching. It can bring the joy of belonging to a caring community. It can foster positive values and responsible and compassionate conduct. It can help a young person to grow spiritually and to develop self esteem and a sense of purpose and of hope for his or her life and future.

To find out now about a particular faith group’s youth program, click on the appropriate link below:

Baha'i Kitsap County

Bethany Lutheran Church of Bainbridge

Cedars Unitarian Universalist Church

Chavurat Shir Hayam

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Bainbridge Island Ward 

Congregation Kol Shalom

Eagle Harbor Congregational Church, UCC

First Church of Christ, Scientist - Bainbridge Island

Grace Episcopal Church

Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church

Seabold United Methodist Church

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church

St. Cecilia Catholic Church

Suquamish United Church of Christ

Other Youth Services

IFC assists a number of youth services agencies and programs, in various ways including recruiting volunteers and help with funding. Some of these are listed below. Most need help from volunteers or donations.

How You Can Help

Bainbridge Island Teen Center

A place run by teens for teens: social and recreational activities; trips; concerts; community service projects. More information: call Shannon Buxton at the Metro Park District, 842-2306 ext 25 (or 780-9622, which is only answered after 3pm when staff/kids are present).

Bainbridge Island Boys and Girls Club

Boys & Girls Clubs exist to inspire and enable all young people, especially those with the greatest needs, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.  The Club offers affordable after-school programs for kids in grades K-8, as well as full-day camps during Winter, Spring and Summer breaks, conference days, and half-day programs on early dismssal days.  For more information call 206-855-8486 or visit www.bipositiveplace.org

Bainbridge Youth Services

Since 1962, Bainbridge Youth Services has provided free mental health counseling for 12-19 year olds.  BYS also provides a job services program that connects youth with community members.  With offices located right in the school, BYS serves hundreds of local youth every year.

Bainbridge Youth Services is in need of volunteers and sponsors to provide support during annual events such as the Fourth of July Fun Run and Chilly Hilly.  Also needed are donated office supplies such as paper and postage stamps, and community members willing to hire a teen on a long or short term basis.  

For more information contact Lori Midthun (Director), Michele Muffoletto (Jobs Coordinator), Michele Kaster (youth counselor), or James Manuguid (youth counselor), or call 842-9675.

Project Backpack

With donations from many individuals and groups, school kids are assured of receiving basic school supplies, shoes and other items, distributed through Helpline House.  More information: call 842-7621.

Just Know: The Bainbridge Coalition for Youth and Parents

We are a coalition of individuals and organizations committed to the future of our children through a connected community, healthy and safe choices for all children, and youth and parent education.

Just Know has initiated, co-sponsored, collaborated on, or contributed to a wide variety of activities in our community. Among those activities were “Alcohol, Drugs and Adolescence” (a forum on substance abuse and risk behavior among our youth), Ready Set Relax (an evening encouraging families to take time to be together and engage), Table Top Talk, the E.Y.E.S Project, Into Me See (Power of Hope), a mock automobile accident at the High School, and an upcoming forum in November featuring nationally known resources in parenting and adolescence.

Community Connections for Youth

Our Commitment to Youth

• Learn the names of all children and teenagers who live near you or work in shops or community centers you frequent. Greet them by name.

• Take time to talk or play with young people who live near you or work with you, or whom you encounter in other places.

• Build at least one sustained, caring relationship with a child or adolescent, either informally or through a mentoring program.

• Expect young people to behave responsibly. When they do not, tell them how you would like them to act.

• Support initiatives to expand opportunities for young people to participate in teams, clubs, positive activities and leadership or other useful roles in the community.

• Thank people who work with children and youth.

• Volunteer to help with one of numerous programs that benefit youth. For several suggestions, see How you can help (scroll to "Youth Programs").

• Provide activities in which youth and adults can participate together.

• Involve youth in worship leadership and on boards and committees.

• Listen to what youth say they want.

• Help out in sponsoring and (if facilities permit) hosting interfaith social and other activities for youth .

• Make community service a central part of youth programming.

• Offer parent and grandparent education as part of educational programs.

• Support and maintain cooperative relationships with other community organizations working for the well-being of youth.