We are thrilled to announce that King County Council has taken the first step to fill the budget gap that threatens the closure of YouthCare’s Young Adult Shelter for 18-24-year-olds. The King County Council has adopted a 2014 budget that includes $120,000 for YouthCare’s Young Adult Shelter, in addition to several other critical investments in services across King County for homeless youth and young adults.

These investments total $900,000 (awarded to multiple agencies and programs) and follow the recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan to Prevent and End Youth and Young Adult Homelessness in King County, which was published this year after an extensive community planning process. YouthCare is proud to have been a part of this effort, and we are pleased to see this investment an endorsement of the strategies outlined in the Comprehensive Plan.

The Seattle City Council is also considering funding in its 2014 budget to match the King County Council commitment to YouthCare’s Young Adult Shelter. The City and County investments would allow us to reopen our young adult shelter five nights a week; but with support from private funders, we hope to secure additional private funding to provide shelter for seven nights per week.

The King County Council support is an important step filling in the nearly $1.2 million in federal cuts and expiring funds that YouthCare is facing in our 2014 budget for not only our Young Adult Shelter but also our drop-in and outreach program and two employment training programs.  We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support we have already received from our community, and remain hopeful that generous donors will help to close the significant funding gaps that remain.

Your donations are critical to meeting the needs of our community’s homeless young people. Please make your donation today to support our work getting homeless youth off the streets and preparing for life.