October 16, 2019
City of Renton Contacts
Kelly Beymer, Community Services Administrator, 425-430-6617
Preeti Shridhar, Deputy Public Affairs Administrator, 425-430-6569
City of Renton and community partners provide vital resources to over 55 homeless at Community Resources Event
RENTON, WA - The City of Renton’s first two community homeless resources outreach events have proven to be extremely helpful to Renton families experiencing or nearing homelessness.
“Homelessness is a major challenge facing our entire region but we are actually doing something about it and seeing results,” said Mayor Denis Law. “We are collaborating with community organizations and providing necessary services to those who are in need.”
September’s event served 15 clients with six providers on site. There was significant increase in the numbers served and in October the event served 56 homeless clients and had 13 community service providers on hand. The events are designed to give Renton residents who are homeless or near homeless direct access to community resources at a central location. Both events were held at the downtown Renton Library and were coordinated by the City of Renton Community Services Department, Human Services Division.
The City of Renton has partnered with several community providers to provide critical services such as medical, mental health, housing navigation, stability counseling specialists, housing locators, diapers, socks, backpacks, mailing and banking information, bus passes and information for showers, clothing and food.
Dr. Linda Smith and Pastor Kacey Hahn (Renton Village of Hope) believe that the partnership of social organizations, faith community and the city is the key in stabilizing and creating sustainable solutions to meeting the needs of those experiencing homelessness in our community.
“We were encouraged by both the number of individuals we were able to help and the community organizations that took part,” said Dr. Linda Smith, Executive Director and Senior Pastor of SKY Urban Empowerment and Transformation Center. “It was a very worthwhile event that helped many residents.”
“By bringing these vital services together in one area we were able to make a big difference,” said Pastor Kacey Hahn of Saint Matthew’s Lutheran Church. “It’s very clear that if we work together and collaborate, as well as focus our resources, we can actually see progress.”
Community groups and businesses on hand at the October event included Catholic Social Services, Kindering, Compass Housing, Valley Cities Behavioral Health Outreach, Valley Medical Center, Pacific Medical Center, King County (Orca Card), Mary’s Place, REACH, SKY Urban Empowerment and Transformation Center, St. Matthew Church and Wellspring.
The events will continue on a monthly basis at the downtown library. Please visit rentonwa.gov/calendar for the date and time.
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About the City of Renton
The City of Renton, Washington, with a population of 104,700 (2019), is located on the southeast shore of Lake Washington, just south of Seattle. Renton's strong economic base, diverse marketplace and favorable business climate have attracted the attention of nationally recognized companies that are providing employees and their families an outstanding quality of life. Renton is the home of Boeing, PACCAR, IKEA, the Seattle Seahawks, and the eternal resting place of Jimi Hendrix. More information can be found on our website, news releases, or Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor pages.
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