Thought of the Day

An Unconventional Home
By Liz Arthur

One should note that the dictionary defines homeless as “without a permanent home”. Nowhere does it mention shopping carts, trench coats, or any other hype that is commonly associated with the condition of living on the streets.
In fact, much of Seattle’s homeless population does not, in fact, call the streets home.
Certainly not the residents of the Union Gospel Mission Women and Children’s Shelter on Kings Street.
The shelter only accepts women who apply for its programs and commit to completing them. “It’s not about us policing here,” said Johnni Olson, the program director. In fact, she goes on to say, the shelter’s focus is on second chances – providing the women with resources to put their lives back together after struggling with things like drugs/alcohol, poverty, and abuse. “They don’t want that life anymore,” said Olson.
The shelter has over 50 beds for adults and over 30 for children. Families and individuals enjoy their own room, complete with a sink and door that locks. Throughout the day the women attend classes while their children are at school. Classes range from discipleship and ministry to recovering from domestic violence, all with the intent of eventually giving the women the experience they need to live sufficiently on their own.
“There’s no limit to what they can do if we can just get them to dream,” Olson stated. Kristin*, homeless for eight years and a resident of the program since December, agreed. “We’re learning how to be women again.”
Statistically, the average mission has about 2-3% success; a good one may have more like 12-16%. The UGM Women and Children’s Shelter has over 70%. “These women want to be punished,” said Olson. “They are ready to turn to their lives around.”
The programs women go through are unique to them individually – this means a combination of classes and other resources specifically pinpointed to meet their exclusive needs. Eventually, they will either work or be in school full-time while living there.
Kristin is just one of many who will get a second chance because of the shelter and its mission. “We walk hand in hand here.”

*Name changed to protect individual
(Still frame taken from the 2005 film RENT)