Nexus Youth and Families

In 1973 a concerned group of parents, educators and local civic leaders joined together to address the growing problem of drug abuse among South King County youth; this was the beginning of Auburn Youth Resources.

In 1976 Dick Brugger was named the agency’s new executive director. A self-proclaimed ex-hippie priest, Dick brought dynamism as the agency soon became responsive to the needs of at-risk children and families throughout the region. Dick was a visionary, highly driven, proactive and a very good listener. He was profoundly able to anticipate community needs and driven to provide effective services.

In 1980 Dick met with community leaders in Enumclaw to develop a drop-in center for youth, which became Enumclaw Youth and Family Services (EYFS). In the mid 1980’s, as the Green River Killer threatened our youth, Dick developed the first emergency shelter in South King County. In the 1990s, Dick was there again to establish the first street outreach services for homeless youth.

What began as a four-person organization with a budget of $35,000 blossomed to become a regional provider of mental health counseling, homeless and emergency shelter, residential, youth outreach and substance abuse services with over 90 employees and an annual budget of nearly $6 million.

The need for these services has grown tremendously in the region and to unite the work going on in almost 20 cities in South King County, Auburn Youth Resources changed their name to Nexus Youth and Families in 2017. Today we continue the great work started 43 years ago, utilizing cutting-edge, proven-practice services to serve the children, youth and families of South King and Northern Pierce Counties.