Former Northwest Youth Services CEO Jason McGill has been named executive creative director for a Maryland-based nonprofit founded by two of his family members.
The nonprofit, Eliza’s House in Hagerstown, Maryland, is billed as a “nurturing sanctuary dedicated to supporting unhoused young people and women battling breast cancer, fostering an environment centered on love and community,” according to its website, which launched recently.
Eliza’s House uses the same employer identification number as the nonprofit Breast & Body Health, established in 2014, according to public records. Breast & Body Health is run by McGill’s sister NaTacha Graham and his mother Bonnie Bell.
Graham, who previously voiced her concerns with Cascadia Daily News’ reporting, is listed as the board president for Eliza’s House and declined to comment for this story. Breast & Body Health’s website was “disabled” and no longer active as of Jan. 20.
McGill did not reply to a request for comment.
An independent investigation launched by the NWYS board into McGill is ongoing. The Department of Children, Youths and Families told CDN that its investigation into NWYS emergency housing for ages 13-17, better known as the PAD House, concluded with “an unfounded finding” on Dec. 18. The conclusion means that “based on the information available, it is more likely than not that the abuse or neglect did not occur, or that there was not enough evidence to determine whether the alleged child abuse did or did not occur.”
NWYS, Whatcom County’s only nonprofit dedicated to homeless youth in the region, has faced a reckoning following McGill’s unexpected resignation in September and reporting by CDN revealing serious allegations of bullying and retaliation.
The Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families is investigating allegations of “inappropriate relationships” with current and past clients. The nonprofit’s board of directors began a separate investigation into McGill in fall 2024, confirming it is “working closely” with DCYF.
NWYS continues to regain public trust after the nonprofit lost three board members, including president Michelle Harmeier, who suddenly resigned in November following complaints of lax accountability from former workers.
Eliza’s House is using some of the outreach messaging McGill brought to NWYS, with the promotion of monthly donors as “love warriors” and the larger model of care, “Bloom.”
“For just $10 a month, you can become a Love Warrior and make a profound difference in the lives of those who need it most,” the website states. “Collectively, we can make a real difference!”
The website for Breast & Body Health states that the organization’s mission is to raise money for people with cancer. The nonprofit is linked to the for-profit business, Breast and Body Health Boutique, which provides various soaps, lotions and personal care products, as well as breast prosthetics and wigs.
VoyageATL reported in 2020 that Graham donates 100% of the proceeds from the business to her nonprofit.
Tax records for the organization dating back to 2016 identify McGill as a public affairs representative for the nonprofit. A 2020 version of the nonprofit’s website also lists McGill as an advisory board member.
Isaac Stone Simonelli is CDN’s enterprise/investigations reporter; reach him at isaacsimonelli@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 127.
