Auburn Youth Resources (AYR) was established in 1973 as an organization to address the growing problem of drug use in the Auburn and Kent areas. 

AYR has grown to become a fully accredited, regional    mental health, substance abuse and child residential   center serving King and Pierce Counties.  AYR’s mission is to assist families and youth by providing counseling and     support services to them with the goal of their becoming healthy, effective, loving and self-directed individuals. AYR is a private, nonprofit agency that focuses on serving low-to-moderate-income      children, youth and families.  Reflecting the diversity of the populations served, AYR offers a broad range of services in six locations throughout South King County.  The agency operates three major community-based programs that provide substance abuse treatment, intervention and prevention services, mental health counseling, children’s residential services, and homeless and runaway youth outreach services.

Our Philosophy

It is our belief that every child should be given the opportunity to grow and progress to the fullest of their potential. All of the many programs and services delivered by AYR & EYFS are based on a multi-systemic approach that acknowledges that individuals are inextricably parts of systems and the health and well-being of an individual is tied to and ultimately affected by the health and well-being of the entire system.  In utilizing this approach, we often work not only with children and families but also with neighborhoods, schools, communities, other social service agencies and other significant people in the youth and family’s life.  Our services are focused on building upon the strengths, assets and competencies of the families we serve.

Who We Serve

Since our inception as an agency in 1973, we have focused on providing services for the low-income and underprivileged children, youth and families of South King & North Pierce Counties. We believe that this population is all too frequently the      forgotten members of society that must endure life events within the crippling     context of poverty and despair. AYR & EYFS are committed to providing excellence in service and through your continued support pledge that no child or family is ever turned away due to a lack of ability to pay for services. Our services are family-focused and we recognize and honor the wisdom and competencies of the families we serve. At AYR & EYFS, we view the family as the fabric of life. It is the foundation of who we are and how we view the world. It is through this unique bond that we learn to become individuals, couples, neighbors and community members. Our   families teach us how to interrelate - that is why they are so very vital.