Program History

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The need. In recent years several essential services have been put in place to help homeless youth in the University District. As a result, formerly homeless youth can now get help entering the workforce, preparing for a GED or community college, learning how to stay health, and acquiring responsible living skills in a group home. We are proud that all this is possible.

However, for many youth it is very hard to take the next step and move into an apartment. The reason is simple: at entry-level wages it is virtually impossible to save enough for first and last month's rent plus utility and damage deposits. That is a huge barrier - even for motivated, hard-working youth. An equally daunting barrier is the reluctance of many landlords to rent to someone whose only previous addresses have been at group homes - or on the streets.

The response. In November of 1998, a community-wide conference sponsored by the Partnership For Youth (PFY) made this issue a priority. Following the conference, a working group came together to design this project, including:

Nancy Amidei	UW School of Social Work / Partnership For Youth
Laura Garris	Rotary Homeless Youth Foundation
Kate Grossman	Straley House
Karen Ko	City of Seattle, U District Neighborhood Service Center
Katie Ladd	University Temple / United Methodist Church
Shannon Moore-Gray	Wells-Fargo Bank, U District Branch
Jim Moran	SAFECO
Jean Poole	UMC Congregant
Michael Verchot	UW School of Business
Walt Weber	Weber & Associates, Property Management
youth	Straley House Residents

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