*To provide youth with essential social, academic, individual and environmental supports.

*To invite youth to engage in challenging, enriching and creative activities in partnership with peers, adults, and the wider community.

*To empower youth to develop leadership and life skills which create pathways to healthy decision-making and meaningful community engagement.

*To organize and mobilize community resources for the prevention of youth substance abuse and violence.

The South Whidbey Youth Connection was created in 1989 by a coalition of caring islanders representing public schools, congregations and a circle of community leaders. What sprouted as a small after-school center has grown into The Hub, a drop-in center for middle and high school students, where interaction, interconnection, fun and food are shared five days a week.  We have branched out with a Youth Leadership Council to encourage the development of the next generation of leaders and planted a Tutor-Mentor program in the middle school.  In 2008 a Photography class was "developed" to encourage young people to "frame" the world as they see it.  With concerned partner agencies and individuals, we coordinate the efforts of the Island County Drug Action Team (Community Mobilization/Seeds of Change) to prevent drug abuse, alcohol misuse and violence through positive, balanced, healthy education.