NWYS Skagit facility closed abruptly for safety and health concerns

The abrupt closure of Northwest Youth Services' (NWYS) Mount Vernon facility in early March has left local partners scrambling to find housing for four at-risk youths. Staff received less than 24 hours' notice to vacate, and since then, there has been no public timeline for reopening. An internal email indicates that interim director Lance Jones cited ongoing "atmospheric, structural and electrical issues" as the reasons behind the closure, while separate communications raised potential mold concerns. The facility, purchased in 2023 for approximately $930,000 with state funding, is essential for providing transitional housing to vulnerable youth. Local service providers, including the YMCA Oasis Teen Shelter, are directly impacted, as they relied on NWYS for additional housing resources.

Jones has acknowledged the disruptive impact of the closure and mentioned that the board has yet to respond to inquiries from Cascadia Daily News. The situation is further complicated by the previous leadership controversy involving former CEO Jason McGill, who left amid an investigation. Without a clear resolution or reopening plan, the future of the facility and its vital services remains uncertain.