Helen Myrick

Helen Myrick, chair of the Pierce County Promise Committee, said the recognition affirms local efforts to bring together resources intentionally designed to help youth achieve success."This is a great opportunity to let the kids know that their success is important to the adult community and to draw even more young people to those resources," she said.

Helen Myrick Co-Chair Lakewood's Promise Exec. Director, Greater Pierce County Community Network

The new Youth Resources Center, which will have a much greater variety of services than the Graham House, is located at 215 167th St. in Spanaway, just off Pacific Ave. Preliminary construction and site preparation began this summer, and completion of the $1 million site is expected by June 2008, according to Helen Myrick, a member of the Youth Resources Board.
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Myrick told the gathering that Youth Resources had received $650,000 of the necessary funds, leaving over $300,000 still to be raised.

A huge shout out goes to community member Helen Myrick. Helen is the executive director of the Greater Tacoma Community Network and president of Youth Resources, the group that runs the Graham Homeless Youth House and is building a second facility near 166th and Pacific. Helen also serves on the board of the Alliance for Youth, where she chairs the America's Promise committee. As a member of the Mid-County Leadership Team, she is working with other leaders to fund and build community centers for Bethel and Franklin Pierce. She also lobbies tirelessly in Olympia for youth issues and the Bethel community. Helen is a model citizen whose work for her community and her passion for youth are nothing short of amazing.

"About 15 years ago, meth use really started to grow," said Helen Myrick, executive director of the Greater Pierce County Community Network. Meth manufacturing creates an odor that's harder to detect in outlying areas.

"And there's not as much police presence here," she added, "although it's improved considerably over the past years."

At one time, Pierce County was the third worst county in the nation for its number of meth labs, although Myrick said the numbers are beginning to come down.

If parents are running meth labs, their children's lives are in chaos.

"These parents don't value education; it's just about how to get their hands on the next meth high," Myrick said. "Children miss more school, don't do their homework, stay up until odd hours and seldom get a good night's sleep."

Junior high is critical time Experts agree that junior high is a critical time in children's lives.

"At this age, either kids go down the wrong road or stay on the right one," said Myrick.
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"It's based on the idea that every child needs and deserves a caring adult in their lives," said Myrick.

Eventually, each district junior high will be directly involved in the project.

For more information, contact the Bethel Family Center at 683-6850 or Myrick at 531-9725.

Helen MyrickDirector, Greater Pierce County Community Network

Helen MyrickVice President for Community Impact United Way of Pierce County

Helen Myrick, Vice President, United Way of Pierce County and UWWA Public Policy Co-Chair.