In 2006, the Skagit County Community Action Agency turned away
nearly 1,600 requests for emergency shelter due to lack of space. The purpose of the
Emergency Family Shelter
Expansion Project is to increase the capacity and services available at our
existing family shelter on North 4th Street in Mount Vernon.
Community
Action has provided shelter for families with children (the only shelter for
families with children in Skagit County) at our 724 North 4th Street
location for the past 18 years. The property was leased beginning in 1988
and purchased by Community Action in 1991.
Between 1988 and 2005,
our shelter housed approximately 145 homeless parents and children each
year.
This represents about 85,000 "bed nights" of shelter. With our family
development support, approximately 85% have moved to safe and secure housing
and long-term self-sufficiency, are gainfully employed and starting
businesses.
In
2005, Community Action purchased the adjacent property
at 720 North 4th Street to expand our services. We are currently housing
families in this second building.
Our proposed design will join the two buildings to create a single point of
entry, six additional housing units, and a common space for socializing and
classes.
The on-site learning center will provide the following services:
Family Development classes
Literacy classes (GED prep, ESL, basic computer,
budgeting, and other basic skills)
Job Attainment classes
Life Skills classes
Parenting Skills and Nutrition classes
Homework Help
After 18 years of playing a positive role in the neighborhood, we have
carefully designed the expanded facility to fit into the neighborhood
architecturally. It is designed to present a human scale that is friendly
and welcoming, and provides for a well maintained building with a long-term
commitment.
To date, we have pledges for $1.7 million, including a $897,409 grant from
the WA State Housing Trust Fund. Major donors include the
Gates Foundation,
Boeing Employee Community Fund, and
Medina Foundation.
They are
joined by many other donors who have given generously -
churches, local businesses and individuals,
service clubs, government entities, and building
material suppliers. Ground-breaking took place on May 18th. Construction is
planned to be completed in late Fall or early Winter 2007.
Would you like to help SCCAA obtain the last
$50,000 needed to complete this project?
Community
Action has provided shelter for families with children (the only shelter for
families with children in Skagit County) at our 724 North 4th Street
location for the past 18 years. The property was leased beginning in 1988
and purchased by Community Action in 1991.
In
2005, Community Action purchased the adjacent property
at 720 North 4th Street to expand our services. We are currently housing
families in this second building. 
