Jamahna RiAll, of Everett, is shown in a 2016 College of Hope class put on by Housing Hope at Goodwill in Marysville. (Ian Terry / The Herald)

Jamahna RiAll, of Everett, is shown in a 2016 College of Hope class put on by Housing Hope at Goodwill in Marysville. (Ian Terry / The Herald)

Housing Hope lives up to both words in its name

First, a place to live. Then help with parenting, education, transportation and employment.

This is one of a collection of stories about philanthropy in Snohomish County.

EVERETT — Thirty years ago, Todd Morrow noticed more families in cars.

There weren’t shelters in Everett at the time that accommodated entire families. Fathers and teenage boys would leave their loved ones and head toward the mission on Smith Avenue.

And not everyone was guaranteed a warm place to sleep. More than 3,600 people in Snohomish County were turned away from emergency shelters in 1987.

That same year, an organization was founded in Everett that would help families around Snohomish County overcome homelessness. Nearly 70 housing developments have been built since then, and more than 280 families have constructed their own homes through a sweat-equity program.

Housing Hope also offers employment, education and childcare services.

Todd Morrow, 56, and his mother, Shirley, have been a part of Housing Hope since the start.

Shirley Morrow, 83, realized there was only so much her church could do.

First Presbyterian Church occasionally offered families a night in a hotel. She was one of the brains behind Dinner at the Bell where more than 130 people gather every Wednesday for a home-cooked meal. She was known for cooking food “your grandma would make,” such as Jell-O salad.

“That’s the important thing about this. Dinners like that, or Housing Hope, it’s treating people well just like we would want our families to be treated,” Todd Morrow said.

Shirley Morrow watched as properties around town were grabbed up for new development projects. Affordable housing options were disappearing, she said. There also weren’t regulations yet requiring landlords to provide a valid reason before evicting tenants.

She joined a task force focused on reducing homelessness. From there, the vision for Housing Hope was formed.

“I see it as a time when people were becoming aware of others in need,” Shirley Morrow said. “The world wasn’t a good place for everyone.”

Todd Morrow, who had just graduated from law school, joined the organization’s board. He drew up the articles of incorporation.

The first property Housing Hope acquired was a small apartment building on the corner of Norton Avenue and 35th Street. Members from First Presbyterian adopted one of the apartments. They furnished and cleaned the unit. Todd Morrow remembers inviting the family to go bowling and to spend an afternoon at the beach in Mukilteo.

“It was a good chance for church members to realize the families are just like theirs,” he said.

In 1992, the board raised $50,000 within a couple weeks. The money was used for a down payment on what they call Century House, a home for single mothers and their children. Shirley Morrow once taught a kindergartner who lived there. The child’s mother signed up for a parenting class through Housing Hope.

“She was really trying, and upbeat. She’d tease me about the food I brought,” Shirley Morrow said with a grin.

She was dubbed the “cookie mom” because she always brought treats for the parents.

The nonprofit decided early on that making services such as parenting classes available was essential.

“We knew if we really wanted to help folks, we needed to do more than provide a place to live,” Todd Morrow said. “We needed to give them the tools to break the cycle of poverty.”

The College of Hope offers these life-skills classes. Transportation, childcare and a meal is included.

Case managers meet with tenants on a regular basis. Together, they set goals, make a budget, talk through educational opportunities and track down additional resources, if needed.

A child development center opened on the Housing Hope campus in Everett. In additional to child care, the center provides parental counseling and in-home family visits.

HopeWorks, an off-shoot of the nonprofit, launched in 2011. The organization has paid internships so that people can gain skills in jobs that are in high demand.

“If this hadn’t been done, oh my goodness. Wait lists for self-help would be much longer,” Shirley Morrow said. “You know there’s hope in the world.”

Caitlin Tompkins: 425-339-3192; ctompkins@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Hundreds rally against Trump on Presidents Day in Everett

People lined Broadway with signs and flags, similar to other protests across the country

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.