WILLIAMSBURG — Bacon Street Youth and Family Services will be closing its doors on Nov. 21 after more than five decades of serving the Greater Williamsburg community.
Since opening on Bacon Avenue in 1971, the organization has been dedicated to creating healthier families and more resilient youth through compassionate, judgment-free mental health and substance use services.
In its 54 years of operation, Bacon Street noted it has helped thousands of youth navigate challenging times in their lives and has brought hope and healing to thousands of families.
“We have championed the idea that everyone deserves access to mental health and substance use treatment by providing this care to youth and families regardless of their ability to pay for these services,” the organization said in a release announcing the decision.
Additionally, it said its prevention programming has shown hundreds of people how to use Naloxone to respond to an opioid overdose, taught thousands of kids in local schools about the effects of substance use so they could make more informed choices, and has mentored teens and families to help them develop the skills they need to build resilience.
“We are profoundly grateful to every youth, family, staff member, volunteer, partner, and donor who has been part of Bacon Street’s journey. Together, we have helped countless young people find hope, healing, and strength — and have built a more compassionate and resilient community in the process,” the organization said.
Leaders said the decision to close “was not made lightly,” citing a mix of financial pressures, staffing shortages, and declining donations that have intensified amid a shifting landscape of funding and community need. It noted that the strain on both finances and personnel had grown “exponentially.” Despite the group’s longstanding commitment to supporting adolescents, young adults, and their families, the mounting challenges made it impossible to continue operating at the level of quality and care the community expects, it said.
While Bacon Street’s chapter is coming to a close, its mission will live on in the work of the organizations and individuals continuing to serve youth and families across the region.
“It has been an absolute privilege to serve this community alongside all of you. We encourage our community to stay connected, continue advocating for mental health and prevention services, and carry forward the spirit of collaboration that has defined our work,” it said.
For more information about Bacon Street, visit baconstreet.org.
