EVERETT — Kristina Morris and her son were left with nothing but some clothes when they lost their home in a fire a decade ago.
At the time, she turned down a voucher for a hotel room from the Red Cross. She thought someone else may need it more.
Morris and her son continued to couch surf for two years until they were able to regain stable housing.
“Homelessness is the one thing that does not discriminate,” Morris said. “… It can impact any of us at any given time. There’s homeless children. There’s homeless seniors. There’s homeless teens. There are homeless young adults, homeless veterans, mothers, fathers, families.”
This year, Morris organized “Homecoming,” a benefit concert to raise money for Snohomish County agencies that serve those without stable housing.
On Sept. 18, rock, R&B and punk artists including Medicine Hat, The Davanos and former members of Heart and Bad Company will rock the Historic Everett Theatre’s 800 red velvety seats.
Morris curated a concert lineup featuring Pacific Northwest favorites thanks to her friendship with Roger Fisher, one of the founding guitarists of Heart. In the late 2000s, Fisher invited Morris on stage to perform Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools” with him at Eddie’s Trackside Bar in Monroe. They’ve remained close since.
Proceeds from each ticket will go to Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County, the Interfaith Family Center, Volunteers of America, Cocoon House and the YWCA.
Together, the organizations help find temporary shelter, permanent housing and supportive services for Snohomish County residents. Some specifically serve at-risk youth, others provide shelter, counseling and food for survivors of domestic violence, single parents and unhoused families.
In 2011, “Homecoming” co-organizer Mindy Woods spent six weeks at the Americas Best Value Inn in Edmonds. She and her 13-year-old son had been waiting for shelter space to open up at the Lynnwood YWCA.
Once they got in, the YWCA provided mental health counseling, and courses on topics such as renters’ rights and budgeting. After a little more than three months in the shelter, the YWCA helped Woods and her son find an apartment. She continued to meet weekly with a case manager to help her navigate housed life.
“They were just there to support us, and it was just kind of this gentle handoff,” Woods said. “That’s what many of these organizations are doing. It’s not just the physical space to stay. But it’s the supportive services that are wrapped around individuals.”
The goal of the concert is twofold, Morris said: Raise money and raise awareness.
Homelessness is at a 10-year high in Snohomish County, according to the latest point-in-time count. Nearly 1,200 people were tallied, and that’s almost certainly an undercount.
Meanwhile, transitional shelters have monthslong waitlists. And over 20,000 people have called 2-1-1 looking for housing and shelter assistance in Snohomish County over the past year.
Woods, now a housing advocate for the Resident Action Project and the city of Edmonds’ Human Services program manager, said the pandemic only increased the burden on service providers.
“They had to think outside the box — how could they help more people with less space, less money, less people to run the organization, less donations, less everything,” Woods said. “They’ve taken a huge hit.”
When someone is living outside, or without stable housing, they’re forced to focus on immediate needs like food and physical safety, Morris said. Snohomish County service organizations aim to help people move beyond survival mode.
Woods, who previously got help from the YWCA, now she serves on nonprofit’s public policy committee. She was the main advocate for the creation of Edmonds’ Human Services division, and then got the job with the city.
“That’s the very point,” she said. “When people are built back up, and their basic needs are being met, and they are given the opportunities to thrive, who knows what they could do? But they can.”
Tickets are available online now at eventbrite.com. They range from $37.50 to $100.
Doors open at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18. The music starts at 5 p.m.
The full lineup includes:
• Roger Fisher, rock, formerly of Heart.
• Lynn Sorensen, hard rock, formerly bassist for Bad Company.
• Roni Lee, punk, formerly of Venus & the Razorblades.
• Bernadette Bascom, R&B, first artist signed to Stevie Wonder’s label.
• Medicine Hat, alternative rock, Seattle-based.
• The Davanos, classic rock.
• The Vandalls, punk rock.
• Brenda Kashmir, rock/folk.
Housing and homelessness service agencies will be sharing more information about their programs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10, at Forest Park in Everett.
Isabella Breda: 425-339-3192; isabella.breda@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @BredaIsabella.
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