FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2014

MEDIA CONTACTS
Gwen Schuler, Media and Communications, gschuler@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5160
Megan Marquett, Media and Communications, mmarquett@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5051

Tacoma Makes Strides toward Opening  Emergency Youth Shelter

The City of Tacoma and Pierce County are working, with support from The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, to establish an emergency youth center in Tacoma.

The Emergency Youth Shelter, which is expected to be completed in three phases, recently received $10,000 in grant funding from The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation. While still being planned, phase one, the crisis drop-in center and young adult shelter, is expected to begin next spring.

“It is wonderful to receive the grant funding from The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation,” said Diane Powers, Neighborhood and Community Services, Human Services Manager. “The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation has been, and continues to be, a great partner to the City of Tacoma. Their contribution to the Youth Shelter will help us realize a much needed community resource.”

The shelter, when it reaches completion, will fill a resource gap in Tacoma by providing youth (ages 13-17) and young adults (18-24) who are transient or at-risk of becoming homeless with temporary housing and job training.

“The Youth Shelter is a vital resource our community needs to help create a continuum of housing options and to create safe neighborhoods,” Powers said.

The project will be complete in late 2016.

Neighborhood and Community Services is an integrated department dedicated to building healthy and successful neighborhoods and households though the protection of human rights, code enforcement, community problem-solving and indirect and direct services which include human services and services for the elderly and youth. In 2013, the department initiated the first Mental Health Competitive Funding Process, launched a summer youth employment program and planned the implementation of a Rapid Response Graffiti Pilot Program. More information is available at: cityoftacoma.org/NCS.

The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation is a community foundation that seeks to inspire people and mobilize resources to strengthen the Pierce County community. Established in 1981, the Community Foundation provides individuals, families, and businesses with the resources and expertise to promote effective philanthropy and connect people who care with causes that matter. In 2013, the Community Foundation awarded nearly $4.2 million in scholarships and grants to nonprofit organizations. More information is available at: gtcf.org.