Northwest Youth Services workers are demanding the nonprofit’s board terminate Interim Executive Director Lance Jones and a senior director, in a public letter released Tuesday evening, April 1.
Approved by more than half of the organization’s 42 employees, the letter calls for “immediate removal,” stating Jones and Senior Director of Culture and Compliance Daniel Pry have “compromised the wellbeing of staff, diminished the quality of services and eroded trust with youth and community partners.”
The document includes roughly six pages detailing various accusations against leadership of the troubled nonprofit dedicated to serving homeless youth in Skagit and Whatcom counties. The workers’ names are not listed, though CDN has reviewed the names of staff who support the letter. Employees withheld names due to what they say are fears of retaliation, a similar concern expressed by employees to CDN under the previous leadership of former CEO Jason McGill, who left the organization six months ago.
“In the wake of the harm caused by Jason McGill and the neglect of the NWYS Board to hold him accountable, Lance Jones was entrusted with stabilizing the organization, rebuilding relationships with staff and ensuring support continued for the young people engaged in our services,” the letter states.
In the letter, the staff members argue he has failed to do so.
When contacted by CDN, Jones did not respond to complaints in the letter, including calls to remove him. In a statement he said, “NWYS is moving through a process focused on securing our long-term sustainability. We do not take this work lightly.” He added the organization is working to navigate “any challenges, internal or external, with grace and consideration.”
The letter comes amid the nonprofit’s monthslong struggles to regain public trust, funding and stability.
- In September, McGill left the organization amid serious complaints about his leadership. The nonprofit’s board of directors launched an investigation into allegations that “run contrary” to NWYS’ “core values.” Results of the investigation have not been publicly released.
- In late November, the board’s president suddenly resigned and two other members announced they would leave by the end of the year. Only three members remain.
- Last month, NWYS suddenly shuttered its Skagit County facility with little public transparency around the closure and when it might reopen.
None of the board members replied to questions about the letter and no members have responded to repeated questions or requests for interviews since December.
Letter also alleges problems with the board
The letter sent to the board asks members to provide a detailed timeline for the “transparent and equitable” search and hiring of a permanent executive director.
“They failed to protect staff under Jason McGill’s leadership and they are failing to protect staff under the interim leadership of Lance Jones and Daniel Pry,” the letter states.
Jones was selected on an interim basis to lead the nonprofit last October with the board stating a search for a permanent CEO was underway. Since Riannon Bardsley retired in 2019 after 10 years with the organization, NWYS has had four different leaders as the interim executive director, executive director or the CEO. It appears Pry moved into his position in January.
The letter alleges the board has “not acted in good faith to repair trust, bolster staff protections, support services properly and ensure quality care” in the communities the organization serves.
Concerns raised about Skagit closure
The letter questions the abrupt closure of the organization’s primary facility in Skagit County, stating that the rapid process “directly harmed and retraumatized Skagit youth.”
In early March, Jones decided, with board approval, that the nonprofit would shutter its Skagit County facility. Staff were given less than 24 hours’ notice. Staff and partners scrambled to find alternative housing for four youth, three through a collaboration with the YMCA Oasis Youth Shelter.
An internal Skagit County email obtained by CDN states that Jones cited “ongoing ‘atmospheric’, structural and electrical issues” with the property. A separate email cites potential mold concerns.
The staff letter rebuffs Jones’ reasoning.
“Existing NWYS documentation confirms that safety surveys for old, asbestos, lead paint and meth contamination had already been completed, remediated when necessary, re-tested, and passed since purchasing the property in early 2023,” the letter states. CDN was not able to independently verify those claims.
Staff said that the closure was poorly executed, leaving Skagit team members without access to their landline phone for about 20 days. Staff have additionally been told not to provide pop-up services in the parking lot of the facility, which had previously provided housing to youth, as well as drop-in services.
Adherence to federal policies
The letter also denounced Jones’ alleged willingness to comply with new federal grant guidelines.
President Donald Trump issued an executive action targeting federal positions, programs and grants connected to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA), as well as those tied to environmental justice.
The Office of the Administration for Children and Families, which provides some funding to NWYS, stated in an email to Head Start recipients that the office “will not approve the use of federal funding for any training and technical assistance (TTA) or other program expenditures that promote or take part in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.”
The staff letter argues that “complying with federal grant guidelines compromises NWYS’ commitment to affirm youth autonomy, identity, expression and culture.”
However, there is no evidence on the organization’s website of DEI language being removed. It still promotes Queer Youth Services and the nonprofit affirms its “commitment to becoming an Anti-Racist organization.”
Isaac Stone Simonelli is CDN’s enterprise/investigations reporter; reach him at isaacsimonelli@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 127.
