Julie Happy, 509.625.7773
Monday, July 31, 2017 at 2:06 p.m.
The City of Spokane, along with agency partners, are excited to announce the success of the 100 Youth, 100 Day Youth Housing Challenge. Spokane have housed 102 youth, with one additional youth being housed today, another with a move-in date scheduled for next week, and 13 more youth with housing vouchers in hand.
Mayor Condon, agency partners, volunteers and and many more celebrated the success of this challenge today at The Gathering Place next to City Hall.
“Today’s celebration is a testament of the hard efforts of our agency providers and City staff to take a challenge and make it a huge success,” said Neighborhood and Business Services Director, Jonathan Mallahan.
A donation drive was held during the month of July to help youth be successful as they move from homelessness into their new homes. Items for “move-in” kits were collected all month with the assembly of these kits happening by volunteers at today’s celebration event. Donated items were similar to what a parent puts together for a child they are sending off to college for the first time or setting them up in their first apartment.
The goal of the challenge was to rethink how the City and agency partners addresses homelessness for youth and make systemic changes to how youth are returned or connected to permanent homes. Spokane is one of three participants in the first-ever statewide challenge. Spokane led the way in achieving great success.
Mayor Condon said at the celebration event today, “Our goal was to house 100 youth. But, we did not look at it from the perspective of just reaching a number. We looked at it as a stepping stone to a higher goal of providing a system where our youth would feel safe and supported when they need help.”
The City staff and agency partners have focused their leadership and efforts on prioritizing changes in order to facilitate long lasting successes toward helping and engaging the youth within our City.
Jim Theofelis, Executive Director, A Way Home Washington, said of Spokane’s achievements with this challenge, "A Way Home Washington is thrilled with the tremendous effort that the Spokane team and local leaders demonstrated in their 100-Day Challenge. We are looking ahead beyond Day 101, and are eager to continue partnering with Spokane and other cities around the state to build a comprehensive system that will allow young people to find safe housing and supportive services without having to leave their home communities. Together we CAN prevent and end youth and young adult homelessness in Washington State."
