Education is at the heart of all Atlantic Street Center services. Our programs and services are designed to help children and youth gain the academic, social, and emotional skills they need to thrive now and in the future. We work to help children feel safe, supported and successful in the present, while at the same time helping them envision a future where they can achieve their educational goals, secure meaningful employment, and become active, contributing members of the community.

In support of the child, we also serve families by providing parent education and life skills classes, support groups, family therapy, and referrals to outside agencies so adults can feel stronger in their role, be self-sufficient, and advocate for and support the children in their care.

We envision our community to be a place where everyone feels safe and everyone's contributions are valued, regardless of factors such as ethnicity, economic status or education.

Our Services

Our four primary service areas are Early Learning, Youth Development, Family Support, and Counseling Services. We also offer case management services through the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative (SYVPI) and specialized therapy services through Alternatives for Families - A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program and Mastery of Anxiety and Panic for Adolescents (MAP-A).

All Atlantic Street Center services are free to participants. Costs are met through public and private grants and donations.

Who We Serve

Atlantic Street Center directs our resources toward low-income children, youth and families of color in Seattle’s central and southeast neighborhoods. Each year, our direct service staff serves more than 3,000 youth and their family members.

Each family is unique, but the following are some of the challenges that the families we serve may be facing: 

• Single parent household or children in foster care
• Household income at or below the federal poverty level
• Limited support system
• Children underachieving academically
• Neighborhood detachment and isolation
• Multicultural identity issues

In 2009, we served 3,075 youth and their families.

Our approach

Our approach is twofold. We offer child and youth development activities and family support programs that build skills, strengthen families, and promote self-improvement.

We also offer in-depth counseling services to stabilize families and help youth address difficult challenges.

Real results

A recent program evaluation illustrates the positive changes that take place in the lives of the youth and families Atlantic Street Center serves:

• Of the educationally at-risk students who took part in our services, 80% made academic progress, 91% showed improved school attendance, and 89% increased their social skills.
• 100% of the young children participating in our early learning program graduated from the program and transitioned into a formal pre-school or center based child care.
• 75% of individuals participating in mental health counseling strengthened their coping abilities.
• 90% of the parents participating in our family support services improved their parenting skills, 94% increased their knowledge of age-appropriate youth development, needs and behaviors, and 90% participated in their children’s learning.
• By the end of our five-week summer school program, 74% of the students were reading one grade level above their current grade and the remaining 26% were reading at grade level.

Recent Awards & Recognitions

Atlantic Street Center is proud to be the recipient of the following awards:

• Neighborhood Excellence "Neighborhood Builders" Award, Bank of America, 2004

• Social Work Agency of the Year, National Association of Social Workers, Washington State Chapter, 2005

• Families Count Award, National Honors Program, Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2006