On any given night in the Snoqualmie Valley, over 60 youths and young adults experience housing instability. Because community resources are limited, the majority of these young people are left without access to food or safe housing.
Local families might know some of these kids. They may be a friend of their child – a friend needing of a safe place to stay due to issues happening in their home. The family may want to help. They might have room in their home, but they still don’t feel equipped – or properly trained – to effectively help that teen in need.
The YMCA is hoping to bridge the gap between families that want to help and teens in need of stability through a program they hope to bring to the Snoqualmie Valley: Host Homes Program.
Host Homes matches young adults who are unstably housed or at risk of losing their housing, with a caring and supportive host family. The program then provides a case manager to keep the family and youth on a good track— i.e. graduation, finding stable housing, etc.
The Y says host families will provide safe, short-term housing to young people as they work toward gaining stability and becoming self-sufficient. They’re hoping 15-20 interested families will attend their upcoming Host Home meeting so that they can launch the program in the Snoqualmie Valley.
You’re eligible to become a host home provider if you’re 21 years or older, have a spare bedroom and want to make a difference right here at home.
The YMCA invites interested community members to attend the important meeting, Saturday, May 27th from 11AM – 12:30PM at the Sallal Grange, 12912 432nd Ave SE, North Bend, WA 98045.
[If you have any questions feel free to contact Ellen Cambron at 206-462-9327 or ecambron@seattleymca.org]
