“With services like ISIS House, we can find our support systems, our community, and even a place in the world where we actually belong.”

Thanks to YouthCare, Autumn now has community, safety and stability. She is enrolled in community college and shared “I’ve wanted to go to college for a while, but it just wasn’t possible because of the schedules at the shelters I’ve stayed at. Now that I’m in this transitional housing program, I can actually go to classes and pursue my interests”.

When Autumn arrived at YouthCare’s ISIS House six months ago, she was looking for a chance to move beyond homelessness. Isis stands for Independence, Security, Initiative, and Success. It is a twelve-bed residential home with programming focused on LGBTQ+ youth ages 18-21years old. Isis opened in 1998 as the first housing program in Washington State to focus on the unique needs of LGBTQ+ youth.

“I mainly just want to live a normal life despite the horrific conditions I grew up under,” she says. “This seemed like my best shot at that.”During their time at ISIS, young people build community and work with their case manager to get connected to school and employment, and transition to permanent housing.  

Autumn first learned about YouthCare while staying at an adult homeless shelter. When she heard about ISIS House, she didn’t hesitate to reach out to our team.

“They suggested that this was a program that would really benefit me to get out of homelessness. Naturally, I jumped at the opportunity.”

Today, Autumn calls ISIS House home. Shelter staff Nea describes Autumn as “Very kind and gentle. She is very empathetic, especially with other clients at the house”. Autumn told us that the services she has received from YouthCare have helped to jumpstart many aspects of her life.

She describes the program as giving her “community,” explaining that staff connect young people with jobs, college, food resources, and the support they need to build independence. She shared she now has more people lifting her up than kicking her down, a change form her upbringing.

For Autumn, having stable housing has changed everything.

“I wouldn’t have even been able to start college if it weren’t for ISIS,” she says. “Now that I’m here, I feel like I can finally take the steps necessary to ensure I come out with the skills I need to live life on my own.”

 Autumn is studying creative writing at a local Community College while continuing to pursue her love of storytelling and animation.

Beyond housing, ISIS House has given Autumn something she didn’t have before.

“I have community here,” she says. “I have people that genuinely care about me. I have friends. Honestly, sometimes you can think of some of these people as family.”

She also credits YouthCare’s staff and case managers for helping her move forward.

“The case managers… they’re really, really helpful.”

Autumn shared that Youthcare’s ISIS House gave her hope:

“I think a lot of the people that go to places like YouthCare feel like outcasts or rejects… They don’t know where to go or even what to do.”

Then she added the words that capture why YouthCare’s work matters.

“With services like ISIS House, we can find our support systems, our community, and even a place in the world where we actually belong.”

We at YouthCare want to thank you for helping young people like Autumn find more than housing. Because of you, they find belonging, discover hope, and begin building the futures they deserve.