I’m finding that the more I look around my community to find people helping people, the more I find. I had heard of Bacon Street, but I didn’t really know much about it. The first thing I was surprised to learn was that it has been around since 1971 – almost back to my college days, which ended in 1969.
Here’s what their website says about them https://baconstreet.org/:
In 1971, Bacon Street Youth and Family Services (BSYFS) started as the Drug Action Center in an office on Bacon Avenue in Williamsburg. Known simply as “Bacon Street,” it was the vision of a group of concerned citizens who wanted a safe place for their children to go after school that was free from drugs and alcohol. Over the decades, we’ve continued with our original charter by providing a variety of substance use prevention and treatment services for adolescents and their families. In 2015, we formally changed our name to Bacon Street Youth and Family Services to honor our history and to emphasize our mission of serving youth and families. Bacon Street Youth and Family Services has emerged as an agency that helps youth and families in preventing substance use and in accessing expert treatment for adolescent substance abuse and mental health issues. For us, it’s about maintaining a relationship with youth and families in our community in order to effectively help when we are needed the most.
We offer the following, primarily serving youth ages 10-26 and families:
Mental Health Counseling
Our mental health counseling services primarily serve those ages 10-26 and their families, addressing the unique developmental realities and special treatment needs of this age group.
Bacon Street’s evidence-based, trauma-informed outpatient counseling is a holistic model that incorporates the young person’s family and community support systems. Our counselors are experienced in diagnosing and treating mental health issues using a variety of therapeutic approaches including person-centered, EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness, and more.
Our clinicians work with individuals and families to support progress in a variety of mental health challenges, including:
Anxiety
Depression
Stress
Trauma
ADHD
Grief/Loss
Life Changes and Transitions
Mood Disorders
Suicidal Thoughts
Low Self-Esteem
Relationship Concerns
Family Concerns
School-Related Concerns/Difficulties
Behavioral Issues/Concerns
Co-occurring Substance Use and Mental Health Challenges
Program Highlights
Diagnosis/treatment planning
Individual and family counseling
In-person or telehealth appointments
Case management
Most private insurances and Medicaid accepted
Sliding scale fee program
We have offices in Williamsburg, Yorktown, Hampton, and Gloucester and offer virtual sessions.
247 McLaws Circle Williamsburg
4034 Geo. Washington Mem. Hwy, Suite B, Yorktown
329 Buckroe Ave., Hampton
6523 Main St., Gloucester
Substance Use Counseling
Our substance use counseling services primarily serve those ages 14-26 and their families, addressing the unique developmental realities and special treatment needs of this age group.
We offer a variety of services to address the problem of alcohol and drug abuse or misuse in our communities. These services include:
Individual Substance Use Counseling
Family Counseling
Drug Screening
Prevention Services
Case Management Services
Some of the areas that are addressed within our clinical program include:
Alcohol Abuse or misuse
Drug Abuse or misuse
Relapse Prevention
Understanding the consequences of substance abuse
Communication skills
Program Highlights
Diagnosis/treatment planning
Individual and family
In-person or telehealth appointments
Case management
Most private insurances and Medicaid accepted
Sliding scale fee program
ASAM Level 0.5 and 1.0 (IOP coming Spring 2022)
We meet teens and families where they are in a person-centered, compassionate, non-judgmental, way. Several evidence-based therapies and interventions are provided, including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Seeking Safety, Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention, and The 7 Challenges.
Free Social Work Case Management for Homeless/Housing Insecure Families with Substance Use (Journey Home Project)
Through the Journey Home Project, youth and their families receive free counseling and case management services to help them assess their needs and access resources to help them lead fuller, healthier lives.
JHP clients come from a variety of circumstances and backgrounds. We are here to help, free of judgment and full of compassion.
Who Qualifies for the Journey Home Project?
Youth ages 10-26 and/or their families who are experiencing the following:
Homelessness or housing insecurity
examples include living with family or friends, living in a hotel/motel, facing eviction, living at a campground, etc.
Someone in the family is using substances of any kind
for example: smoking cigarettes or marijuana, vaping, drinking alcohol, misuse of prescription medications
What We Can Provide:
Free Substance Use Counseling
Free Mental Health Counseling
Case Management/Referral Services for housing assistance
please note that Bacon Street does not provide housing or shelter
Assistance with applying for SNAP, Medicaid, etc.
Referrals to employment services or vocational training
Bus passes for transportation (for clients returning for an appointment)
Day center for families who need access to food, computers, laundry, and showers (Hampton location only, by appointment)
How long do clients receive services?
The length of services depends on the needs of the client. Your mental and physical health is our top priority, and we will be there no matter how long your journey is. We recommend starting with the expectation to receive services, especially counseling, for at least 3 months.
Free School- and Community-Based Prevention Programs
Bacon Street’s school- and community-based prevention programs help educate young men and women about the risks and realities of drug, alcohol and nicotine use; teach them how to make healthy choices; and give them the tools to show resilience in the midst of stress and trauma.
At Bacon Street, we focus on evidence-based family, group, and individual prevention strategies. Our services promote the conditions under which people can confront situations in their lives in constructive and healthy ways without the destructive response of substance abuse.
Prevention Programs
Strengthening Families Program 10-14: This free 7-week series improves family relationships and decreases the level of family conflict, contributing to lower levels of substance use.
REVIVE! Naloxone Training: In an opioid overdose, every second counts. Learn to recognize an opioid overdose emergency and respond with the administration of naloxone (Narcan ®).
The Bridges Project: The transition from middle to high school can be challenging. The Bridges Project combines peer mentoring and therapeutic wilderness activities to help kids thrive in high school…and beyond.
Mindfulness for Youth: Practicing mindfulness can help to reduce anxiety/worry, improve sleep, improve awareness & self-regulation, increase academic performance, and improve focus.
Although Bacon Street has paid staff to provide the medical and counseling services they offer, they utilize community volunteers to provide administrative and outreach services.
There are so many people doing so many good things in my community. And in yours.
Another good one to know about. I'd never even heard of this facility. Thanks.