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Success Stories

Youth & Family Services, Inc. (YFS) is proud to celebrate the remarkable transformations and achievements of individuals who have benefited from their programs. Through dedicated support, resources, and guidance, YFS has helped numerous families and young people overcome challenges, build resilience, and create brighter futures. These inspiring success stories serve as a testament to the power of collaboration, compassion, and determination in fostering positive change within communities.

Foster Care by YFSOK, Youth and Family Services

Transitional Living Program

Lucy came to our transitional apartment after a short impatient stay. When she came into our program, sharing was difficult for her. The fear, stress, and sadness of her situation were heavy. Once she was settled in a safe living space, we made appropriate referrals for continued counseling and consultation with a primary care doctor. Over the course of the next 2 months, Lucy was consistently involved in our weekly groups, her counseling sessions, and had a positive plan to address a major health issue. She connected to positive community supports to begin a mentorship and enrolled in our local vocational school. With every chance to connect to an opportunity to learn, she was willing. Soon she became a leader in positive peer development. She helped to pick topics for our groups. She was willing to answer questions for new participants and always happy to let those interested in our program tour her apartment. In 14 months, she was able to graduate from her vocational program, enroll in college classes, obtain a driver’s license, buy a car, and successfully hold down a job for over a year. Lucy is now living independently!
Lucy
Elijah came in through our street outreach program. After hearing his story, we offered him an opportunity in our emergency apartment. At first, he was resistant, and felt he could handle his situation on his own. After a couple weeks, he returned. His situational needs had increased and he was unable to secure safe housing. He began attending our weekly groups and individual appointments. Not long after moving in, he made the choice to transition into one of our longer-term apartments. While going through the lease process, we helped link him through a local workforce program. He was able to find a job and connect to a secure adult. He also participated in local churches and found many opportunities for community connection. We quickly realized that he was eager to help others in need. Before long, he was giving back by volunteering at a local food pantry. He is continuing in the job he secured over a year ago and was able to successfully transition into his own apartment.
Elijah

Foster Care Testimonies & Success Story

We became a YFS foster family in 2022. During our training and approval process with YFS, we made it clear that keeping siblings together was one of our priorities as a foster family. When YFS staff became aware of a sibling set of 3 children who were all placed in different foster homes, they reached out to us about taking placement. In the beginning stages of the placement, our YFS worker advocated significantly for our children to ensure that their needs were met and that they were receiving all the appropriate services available to them. We have loved working with the YFS foster care team. They have always taken great care of our family and the children in our care, even bringing us pull-ups to every monthly home visit – 3 small kids can go through a lot of pull-ups!

We went through the foster care licensing process with YFS in 2018 and took our first placement in December of that year. The little girl had some significant medical needs that required a lot of doctor’s appointments, some of which were hours long. Our worker helped us with transportation, sitting with her at some appointments, and staying with her for stretches while she was admitted to the hospital and we could not be there for her. We were also very grateful for the YFS on-call line on Christmas Eve when we couldn’t get anyone at DHS to pick up the phone and help us navigate a medical situation.

YFS was an invaluable asset to us at the beginning of our fostering journey. Without their help and expertise, we would not have continued to foster after that first placement.

Not every case has been as involved or stressful as our first was, but over our years of fostering, YFS has been there for us in so many ways. If you’re looking to become a foster family, the YFS foster care team is who you want to have by your side.

The Brown family was certified though YFS and took placement of a sibling set of 4, two sets of twins under 4 years old. YFS helped them navigate doctor’s visits, court hearings, and visits with the biological family. When another older sibling was discovered and brought into custody, and a new baby was also born into the case, YFS helped the Browns’ adult daughter and her spouse get their home approved to take placement of those children.

As the case progressed, termination of the biological parents’ rights occurred, and both homes are adopting the children in their care. Before coming into DHS custody, none of these siblings were living in the same homes, but now they will be able to be raised together as a family.

YFS Client Success Story

Jack by YFSOK, Youth and Family Services

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Contact Us

7565 E. Highway 66.
El Reno, OK 73036.
Contact.yfs@yfsok.org

Office: (405) 262-6555
Fax: (405) 262-6557
24/7 Crisis Hotline: (405) 262-6555

Office Hours
  • Mon-Thurs 8:30 AM- 5:00 PM
  • Fri: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Sat & Sun: CLOSED
  • After hours available by appointment only

Partner Employers

How partnering with Work Ready Oklahoma benefits employers:

 

  1. Access to a Skilled Workforce – Our comprehensive workshops and coaching equip participants with the skills and knowledge required for today’s job market, offering employers a pool of job-ready candidates. 
  2. Reduced Recruitment Cost – By providing a pool of work-ready individuals, the program can significantly reduce the time and financial resources employers typically invest in the recruitment process. 
  3. Enhanced Community Relationships – Partnering with WRO allows businesses to contribute to community development, enhancing their reputation and brand image. 
  4. Retention Support – WRO focuses on long-term success, offering ongoing support and coaching to WRO participants, which can lead to higher retention rates and a more stable workforce. 

For more information, please contact:

employment@wro-yukon.com

(405) 577-6333

Program Participants

Whether you’re looking for your first job, a better job, or you’re returning to the workforce, we’ve got your back. We provide our program participants with job training workshops, community connections, and ongoing job coaching that give them with the skills and support they need to find, get, and keep the right job.

For more information, please contact:

recruitment@wro-yukon.com

(405) 577-6333

Friends of YFS
Brighten a child’s future in times of crisis by generously donating items from the YFS Wish List! Your donations empower us to provide even better care and support to the young individuals participating in our programs, fostering hope and peace in their lives. We gratefully welcome new or gently used clothing and household items, as well as new hygiene products and undergarments.
Wish List
Brighten a child’s future in times of crisis by generously donating items from the YFS Wish List! Your donations empower us to provide even better care and support to the young individuals participating in our programs, fostering hope and peace in their lives. We gratefully welcome new or gently used clothing and household items, as well as new hygiene products and undergarments.
Foster a Child
We value foster families and understand the commitment that is needed to make a difference in the life of a child. YFS provides support that helps foster children feel loved throughout their foster care experience. We want to help children in our community – stay in their community, so children are matched to a loving foster family in the community!
Volunteer
Volunteering at Youth and Family Services, Inc. is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young individuals and families. Support our mission by contributing your time to create positive change and support the well-being of our community.

Short-Term Family Solutions

Parents in Canadian County may utilize the Caring Center Emergency Shelter for up to 48 hours in a crisis situation. This can often provide the parent and child with the critical time they need to de-escalate and gain a new perspective on a difficult situation.

For further help, please contact:

Shelter Director

(405) 262-6555


Emergency Shelter

Our Caring Center Emergency Shelter provides short-term care in a family like setting for children ages 0-18. On average, the Caring Center supports 100 children each year. These children are offered a place of safety during uncertain and turbulent times. Additionally, counseling services within Youth & Family Services, Inc. may be accessed as necessary, making a difference in assisting these children on their path to healing and recovery.  We are also a designated runaway Basic Center. The Caring Center offers a homelike setting, with plenty of recreational opportunities, in a healthy environment.

For further help, please contact:

Shelter Director

(405) 262-6555

Intergenerational at Intrada

Structured, intentional opportunities for low-income seniors, other vulnerable adults, youth and young adults to connect and bond through shared social, recreational, educational, and volunteer activities.

For further help, please contact:

Youth and Family Services

(405) 262-6555

Transitional Living

The Transitional Living Program provides services for young adults between the ages of 16 – 21 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, including pregnant and young adult parents with their children. The program provides counseling, life skills, education, and mentoring to enable young adults to become more self-sufficient.

 

25 young adults were served through the Transitional Living Programs this past year, and provided with supportive services and long-term housing (18 months). 118 young adults received short-term support including groceries, clothing, transportation, utilities, rent, deposits, mentoring, counseling, life skill classes, and referrals.

For further help, please contact:

Youth & Family Services

(405) 262-6555

Street Outreach

The Street Outreach program provides help for homeless teens and young adults who may not be ready for the structure of a live-in program. Street Outreach provides a place to get a meal, do laundry, take a shower or access a computer.

For further help, please contact:

Youth & Family Services

(405) 262-6555

Respite and Emergency Placements

As a YFS foster family, you can help to provide a temporary home for children between placements or provide respite for other YFS foster families as needed. This additional support for children and foster families leads to better placement stability and successful outcomes for children in care.

For further help, please contact:

Foster Care Staff

(405) 262-6555

fostercare@yfsok.org

Foster Care

As a YFS foster family, you can help to provide a temporary home for children between placements or provide respite for other YFS foster families as needed. This additional support for children and foster families leads to better placement stability and successful outcomes for children in care.

For further help, please contact:

Foster Care Staff 

(405) 262-6555

fostercare@yfsok.org

Outreach Counseling

Outreach counselors move from school to school reaching children and adolescents in three counties with crisis intervention, individual counseling, group counseling, and educational programs. Behavior management consultation is also made available to school personnel. 

 

The Journey of Hope program uses a youth-centered, strengths-based approach to provide young people with positive resources to understand and cope with emotions caused by traumatic situations in a group setting. This program gives young people the opportunity to normalize their emotions and develop positive coping strategies through cooperative play, creative arts and literature.

 

School systems served are Canadian Blaine and Kingfisher counties. 

For further help, please contact:

(405) 262-6555

counseling@yfsok.org

Individual Counseling

YFS’ counseling service is a compassionate haven for individuals seeking support and healing. Specializing in trauma, crisis intervention, substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, social skills development, and positive relationship building, we are dedicated to helping youth navigate life’s challenges with resilience and hope. Our counseling provide a safe and understanding environment, guiding troubled youth towards recovery and personal growth.

For further help, please contact:

counseling@yfsok.org

(405) 262-6555

YFS DADS
The YFS DADS Program provides educational workshops and mentoring for fathers in all walks of life. DADS workshops focus on effective communication, conflict resolution, stress management, coping strategies, healthy discipline strategies and other parenting/co-parenting strategies. Participants will receive case management services, mentoring, life coaching and connection with resources, as needed. Additionally, participants will have access to YFS counselors for individual and family therapy services.
Work Ready Yukon
WRO is aimed at empowering low-income Oklahomans with the skills and support needed to achieve financial stability by helping them obtain and maintain quality employment.
Emergency Shelter by YFSOK, Youth and Family Services
Children’s Emergency Shelter
Provides temporary and emergency shelter to abused and homeless youth ages 0 to 18 that are in DHS or OJA custody, or to families experiencing crisis
Independent Living by YFSOK, Youth and Family Services
Independent Living
Provides services for youth ages 18-21, including life-skills training and housing, to assist them in a successful transition to adulthood