Homelessness is not just on the streets of downtown Seattle. On the Eastside, homelessness for women, in particular, is on the rise. Unable to meet the higher costs of living , many women are living in cars, camping in parks or wooded areas, or sleeping on friends’ couches.
The YWCA Eastside Women’s Center (EWC) is designed to serve single homeless women in East King County — and is the first day shelter of its kind on the Eastside. With hot meals and showers, the center meets the women’s immediate needs. And, through referrals to other services, the EWC seeks to ensure that the women have a warm and safe place to sleep — and attain long-term stability.
The EWC is located in a temporary facility at the First Congregational Church of Bellevue. Every day, the facilities offered to women are set-up and taken-down to accommodate other church activities. With proceeds from the Bellevue Rotary Auction, the YWCA and the First Congregational Church will build a permanent center, so that women can be assured of a warm, welcoming place to come during the day.
Proceeds from the Rotary Auction will build:
• A full kitchen
• Bathrooms with hot showers
• Laundry facility
• Private office space
The EWC has served nearly 160 women of varying ages, though 70% of the women served are over the age of 40. For example, Judy had looked forward to retirement but exhausted her savings due to a chronic health problem. At 75, Judy found herself with nowhere to go!
She lived in her car for three weeks before turning to the EWC. When Judy came to the shelter, she was given a hot meal, a shower and a motel voucher. YWCA staff also found her an apartment and affordable health care.
The EWC provides more than basic needs — it restores dignity.
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QUESTIONS? CONTACT:
3 Tulalip Key, Bellevue, WA 98006
Ph 425-653-0867/Fax 425-653-0868
Ph 425-653-0867/Fax 425-653-0868
