Religious groups to tackle homelessness

Religious organizations with a passion for ending homelessness have a chance to get help putting hopes into action.

Four Snohomish County religious groups will be among a dozen chosen in the Puget Sound area to participate in a Faith and Family Homelessness Project. Seattle University’s School of Theology and Ministry launched the project this month.

Funded by the Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation, the project will provide support from Seattle University and awards of up to $10,000 for each group selected.

The money will pay for training and events to educate members about causes of family homelessness and ways to alleviate the problem.

Applications to the program are being accepted through Feb. 29 at http://faithandfamilyhomelessness.com.

In Snohomish County, the Interfaith Association of Northwest Washington will work with Seattle University, a Jesuit and Roman Catholic school, to identify four local organizations to join the program.

Lisa Gustaveson, family homelessness program manager for the School of Theology and Ministry at Seattle University, said it’s not necessary for groups to already be running programs that help homeless people.

“If you’ve got the passion, but don’t know what to do as a faith community, we’re here to help you,” Gustaveson said Monday. “Our job is to help. They have to have the will. We’ll help to find the way.”

Although the project will run about 16 months, Gustaveson said the aim is to create sustainable means to tackle family homelessness.

“This is about sustaining changes,” she said.

The Point in Time count of homeless people in Snohomish County, conducted Jan. 26, found 829 children under 18 among the 2,382 identified as homeless.

The Interfaith Association of Northwest Washington operates a family shelter in Everett that houses about 40 people, up to 11 families.

“This is just a great opportunity to work with the university to better fulfill our own mission, which is increasing unified action among faith groups in the community,” said Mary Ellen Wood, the Interfaith Association’s executive director.

Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460, muhlstein@heraldnet.com.

How to apply

Snohomish County faith communities with an interest in ending family homelessness are asked to apply for a Seattle University program that will provide support and an award of up to $10,000. Applications, due Feb. 29, are available at: http://faithandfamilyhomelessness.com.

Information: Lisa Gustaveson at 206-296-2657 or gustavel@seattleu.edu.

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.

The second floor of the Lynnwood Crisis Center on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Funding gap leaves Lynnwood without a crisis center provider

The idea for the Lynnwood crisis center began in 2021 after a 47-year-old died by suicide while in custody at Lynnwood Municipal Jail.

Three seriously injured after head-on collision on Highway 522

The crash between Monroe and Maltby happened around 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

Fernando Espinoza salts the sidewalk along Fifth Avenue South on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Think this is cold, Snohomish County? Wait until Tuesday

Tuesday could bring dangerous wind chill during the day and an overnight low of 19 degrees

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.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

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.

The Washington State Department of Licensing office is seen in 2018 in Seattle. (Sue Misao / The Herald)
Drivers licensing offices to close Feb. 14-17

Online services are also not available Feb. 10-17. The Washington State Department of Licensing said the move is necessary to upgrade software.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

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.