CHECK OUT OUR YOUTH SPACE!
RENOVATIONS ARE UNDERWAY AND WE’RE SET TO OPEN FALL OF 2026
FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM @FERNDALEYOUTHCOLLECTIVE
HOW WILL YOU USE THE SPACE?
The Space Youth Lounge hopes to provide space. Days can be full of expectations, assignments, practices, and obligations. Come to The Space to simply be with friends, enjoy good food/drinks, play, and take a break.
The Space to _____________.
The Space to slow down.
The Space to hang out.
The Space to breathe.
The Space to be free.
The Space to play .
The Space to relax .
Whatever you need…there’s The Space for you.
THE NEED FOR SOCIAL YOUTH SPACES
Our kids are craving connection and community. According to Healthy Whatcom’s Community Health Needs Assessment, which surveyed 10th grade students in Whatcom County annually from 2012-2021. The most recent results show:
40% reported feeling depressed in the last 12 months
72% said they were anxious or on edge in the last 2 weeks
20% contemplated or attempted suicide in the last 12 months.
All these values nearly double if the student is a racial minority or LGBTQ+
For more information, check out the full assessment.
The protective factors Healthy Whatcom promotes are:
Strong family bonds
Supportive friends
Positive role models
Access to resources like after-school programs
YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS
HOW DO WE KNOW YOUTH SPACES MATTER?
We based our approach off the success of the Icelandic Prevention Model, which focuses on these core four areas:
Family
Peers
School
Leisure time
By investing in those areas, communities around the world have seen measurable decreases in youth alcohol. drug, and tobaccos use, as well as significant increases in belonging, participation, and mental wellness.