The Red Barn Youth Center Looks for Funding

The Red Barn opened in September 2014 as 'a safe, free space for middle and high school youth to gather and access resources.'”

The Red Barn Youth Center will be making changes after losing funding for 2026 and 2027.

For the past several years, the Red Barn has relied on a Pierce County Violence Prevention Grant, which it has consistently received every year it has applied. Being a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, local grants, as well as community and private donations, play a crucial part in ensuring it can carry out its role.

This year, Red Barn requested $44,400 for the last six months of 2026, and $64,032 for 2027 from the Pierce County Violence Prevention Grant. In the past, it has covered roughly 40% of the organization’s operating costs. Losing it has caused a significant shortfall until Red Barn can reapply for the grant at the end of 2027.

The Red Barn opened in September 2014 as “a safe, free space for middle and high school youth to gather and access resources,” according to Jolene McCarthy, Red Barn’s executive director. This idea came from a backyard barbeque in 2004, when conversation was sparked about the lack of opportunities for teens on the Key Peninsula. After funding, time, generosity, and dreams were combined over several years, the Red Barn became a reality.

Since then, the youth center has affected the lives of more than 930 teens in the community. While allowing a place for sixth- to 12th-graders to come together both during the school year and summer months, Red Barn offers opportunities for homework help, arts and crafts, sports, snacks and meals, and camaraderie with peers. It also provides outlets for growth and development.

According to McCarthy, Red Barn partners with Key Pen Parks, allowing attendees to gain community service hours helping out with things such as the annual All Hallows Eve event. The Red Barn also runs a monthly cooking club, hosts trivia events, and allows youth to celebrate during their birthdays, in the annual egg hunt, or at the Christmas party, giving them opportunities to enjoy special occasions regardless of the student’s home environment or other circumstances.

In an anonymous survey completed by students attending Red Barn, over 40% reported issues of bullying, suicidal thoughts, or self-harm in their lives, reinforcing the importance that Red Barn plays in ensuring youth have a safe and healthy place to enjoy and grow.

All students are welcome from middle and high school, whether in public or private school, or homeschooled. To keep it accessible for all youth regardless of background, there is no cost to join, and students can drop in as frequently as they like.

“Registration is simple,” McCarthy said, adding that “youth and their parents or guardians just need to fill out a form, which can be found on our website, when first joining. A new form is required each school year.”

Although the Red Barn will remain free for students, losing the grant meant cutting positions and opportunities.

The kitchen coordinator position was eliminated. Although snacks will be provided, the workload will now fall on McCarthy and two program assistants to help prepare food. Limited staff coverage may also affect the ability of Red Barn to fully utilize the spaces available, meaning that the garden, back field, and volleyball court may not be accessible depending on staffing.

Although the organization has some grants still pending, “the funding landscape has changed significantly,” leading to heightened competition, partial money from grants, or not receiving grants at all, according to McCarthy. While hopeful, the Red Barn may have to make larger changes to programs to keep the doors open if other goals are not met.

In the meantime, the Red Barn is looking for new grant and fundraising opportunities, continuing to seek new partners and sponsors, and has launched a digital donation page on its website, www.redbarnkp.org.

For those who want to donate in person, the Red Barn will have a table at the KP Farm Tour Sept. 26, and will welcome people who want to take a tour. Although funding is key, Red Barn is always happy to welcome new volunteers who want to make a difference in the lives of youth in the community. A volunteer application and background check are required and available at the Red Barn when open or found on their website.