
More than just presents: The Family Christmas Project is about giving hurting and homeless youth hope and a home for Christmas
Many youth do not have the luxury of snuggling up by a warm fire, gathering with friends and family around a Christmas tree, or receiving gifts from loved ones.
When a youth lives outside with no place to call home and no people to call family, they never feel more alone than when the winter storm comes. Winter is like a taunting bully, pounding on the brain, telling them to just give up, telling them that nobody wants them, that all the doors are shut and they have been left outside.
For many of our youth, Thanksgiving and Christmas are two reminders every year that they have fallen through the cracks—they have been lost and forgotten.
We all long for the experience of walking into a room and feeling wanted; it’s the feeling of finally being home. Together we can make this experience possible for hundreds of youth. We call it: Family Christmas Project.
Each year, hundreds of youth come to Christmas parties held by The Coffee Oasis. They come to share dinner, sing Christmas songs, hear the Christmas story, and open gifts. They come for the same reason you would go home: to be with their family at Christmas.
For many of our youth, this is their only Christmas celebration.
This Christmas, would you consider sponsoring youth to receive gifts through the Family Christmas Project?
By sponsoring a youth for gifts, you are showing them they are loved, wanted, and have a place to call home for the holidays.
How Does it Work?
Youth participating in The Coffee Oasis youth programs fill out gift request forms. Then community partners like you “sponsor” youth so their gifts can be purchased. $50 can provide Christmas presents for one youth!
A glimpse of the difference that your gift can make in the life of a youth…
“ I really want to thank you and The Coffee Oasis for working with me and not giving up on me through the difficult times. I need you guys to know how much the gift you guys gave me for Christmas helped me and my family this holiday.”

Ways to Join the Project
FAQ
What is the Family Christmas Project?
It is a way to show tangible love to homeless and at-risk youth during the holidays! Youth participating in The Coffee Oasis youth programs fill out gift request slips. Then community partners like you “sponsor” youth so their gifts can be purchased. $50 provides gifts for one youth! If we receive donations above and beyond what is needed to provide presents for youth for Christmas, the funds go towards our youth programs.
What will the Family Christmas Project look like in Pierce County this year?
Tacoma Youth Shelter residents and youth participating in our programs in Pierce County will receive Christmas gifts through the Family Christmas Project! We will also provide a special Christmas meal for youth staying in our shelter. You can provide meals for the Tacoma Youth Shelter residents and staff through the Resident Meal Program!
How are gifts bought?
The youth fill out individual gift request slips and then we shop for them. We are always amazed at the practicality of many of their requests. Most ask for shoes and clothes, others for gift cards. The majority of the asks are NEEDS not WANTS.
Does giving gifts encourage materialism?
The heart of gift giving is not materialism. Sure it can be misconstrued that way, but it doesn’t have to be. Giving gifts is a way of communicating love. Receiving gifts tell “our” youth that they are remembered and loved this Christmas.
How can youth participate?
Youth and young adults (ages 13-25) participating in The Coffee Oasis programs in Kitsap County can fill out a gift request form at their local Drop-In Center by December 9, 2022.
