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Giving Tuesday: How Your Support Helps Kids and Families in Need

At Western Youth Services (WYS), we know the quiet courage it takes to ask for help and the incredible difference it makes when a community responds with compassion. Every year on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday reminds us that generosity is powerful, and every act of kindness, no matter how big or small, can make a difference.

It is a global day dedicated to giving back and showing that, together, we can make a lasting impact on children and families across Orange County. This year, you can support youth mental health and family support programs in two meaningful ways through WYS’s End of Year Campaign and Annual Toy Drive.

Why the Need Is Urgent

When young people come forward about what they are struggling with, they are often carrying far more than we realize. The data shows just how serious the need is:

  • Nearly 1 in 5 children ages 3 to 17 (21%) in the U.S. have been diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavioral health condition (cdc.gov)
  • Annie E. Casey Foundation reports that in 2022‑2023 nearly 31% of youth ages 12‑17 had a mental, emotional, developmental or behavioural problem of some kind. 

At WYS, we understand that youth mental health and family wellbeing are deeply connected. Challenges like trauma, housing insecurity, and economic hardship affect entire households, which is why we focus on family support programs that strengthen every part of a child’s environment.

How WYS Supports Youth and Families

Your Giving Tuesday support directly funds the programs that help youth and families find hope and healing.

  • One Door Any Door Access Coordination – Helps children, teens, and parents find the right mental health care while removing barriers such as insurance, transportation, or lack of referrals.
  • School Based Services – Partners with schools to provide therapy, counseling, and early support to students. Early intervention prevents larger crises later.
  • Behavioral Health Training Collaborative – Equips families, educators, and community groups with knowledge and tools to build resilience and promote youth wellness.

When you give, you are not just funding programs, you are helping kids and families find connection, confidence, and care.

1. Support Our Mission Through the End of Year Campaign

Your tax deductible donation to our End of Year Campaign helps WYS continue building a future where every child and family has access to mental health care, early intervention, and the support they need to thrive. On Giving Tuesday only, the first $2,000 raised will be matched two times, first by generous donors and then again by our Board of Directors, making your gift three times more powerful and tripling the impact for youth in our community.

When you donate on Giving Tuesday, your kindness helps us:

  • Increase access to mental health services for youth and families in need
  • Expand resilience building programs like Super Resilient® Youth to help young people navigate life’s challenges
  • Provide resources and guidance for families facing adversity

Every gift fuels programs that raise awareness, support success, and strengthen our community. You can support our mission by donating here and selecting ‘General Fund’ as the designation.

2. Participate in Our 2025 Annual Toy Drive

The holidays can be an especially difficult time for children and families facing hardship. Through our Annual Toy Drive, you can help make the season brighter and remind local youth that they are cared for and valued.

You can support in three ways:

  • Drop off new, unwrapped gifts at our Corporate Office: 23461 South Pointe Drive, Suite 220, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
  • Donate online to help purchase toys directly at bit.ly/wys-donate
  • Shop our Amazon Wishlist to select from our curated list of gifts at bit.ly/toy-drive-wishlist

Every toy donated makes a child in Orange County feel seen and supported.

Turning Giving Into Impact

Your Giving Tuesday donation can be the reason a young person finds the courage to ask for help, a parent learns to support their child’s emotions, or a family feels seen and supported.

Because WYS looks at the whole picture from youth, to family, to school, and community, your willingness to give has a lasting impact. Families grow stronger, students stay engaged, and communities become even more resilient.

Join Us This Giving Tuesday

Whether you donate on Giving Tuesday to our End of Year Campaign or give through our Annual Toy Drive, you’re helping create a community where every child and family has the chance to thrive. To learn more about Giving Tuesday and how you can get involved, visit bit.ly/wys-giving-tuesday.

This Giving Tuesday, you can help support our mission to continue to nurture, inspire, and empower youth across Orange County. 

Sources:

Email Summary: 

Giving Tuesday is more than just a day of giving, it is an important movement built upon the foundation of kindness and community.

This year, Western Youth Services invites you to make a difference in the lives of children and families across Orange County through two meaningful opportunities.

  1. End of Year Campaign: Your tax deductible donation helps expand access to youth mental health care, resilience programs, and family support services, and on Giving Tuesday only, the first $2,000 raised will be matched two times, tripling your impact.
  2. Annual Toy Drive: Donate new, unwrapped gifts, give online, or shop our Amazon Wishlist to help brighten the holidays for local children in need.

Every act of giving, big or small, brings hope and healing to those who need it most.

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