REDMOND, Wash. — Due to capacity constraints, leaders of the only overnight shelter for young adults on the eastside said they are too often having to turn people away, and that’s especially the case during severe weather.
But in less than a week, the 72-year-old nonprofit Friends of Youth will move into a new, 8,000 square foot space -- more than double the size. Friends of Youth officially moves to nearby Kirkland under the moniker Willows Youth Services Center Monday, Jan. 22.
"When I first walked in, I was terrified because I'd never been on the streets long term before," said one former client at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. She said she came from two abusive homes. But when she came to The Landing in Redmond, she said, "I soon found friends. The shelter was a wonderful place it was the first place that ever felt like a home.”
That woman is now thriving with a family of her own, according to Friends of Youth president and CEO Paul Lwali.
The move is both a continuation and an expansion, said Lwali, and long overdue.
He said recently, on average, 192 people have been seeking overnight shelter services from them each year.
"192 people coming to us, and you have 15-20 beds," he said of The Landing. "When you're limited to 15 or 20 beds, once you're tapped out, then the next thing is you try to refer anyone who's still looking for services to another shelter.”
It’s a reflection of the greater problem, but those that do get in, said it can feel too full for comfort.
The young adults gave their feedback in surveys over the last several years. The nonprofit listened, and took action. They increased the number of showering stalls from two at the old site to six at the new location.
Along with double the amount of beds, the new location also provides half-wall structures to provide people with some privacy.
"We can provide three, four meals a day, to anyone. Not just anyone who's using our overnight shelter," said Lwali. "More so, we have the ability to help our clients learn how to cook.”
The nonprofit also doubled the number of beds in its new location, provided a commercial kitchen and expanded its laundry services.
"We've never had the ability to say, ‘Hey, just because you're homeless, doesn't mean that you can't have clean clothes.’ If you're in our community, if you can get here, we will be happy to help you with that," said Lwali.
The Landing in Redmond will continue accepting clients until Willows Youth Services Center opens in Kirkland on Monday.