By Pat Jenkins The Dispatch Two temporary residences for homeless students in the Bethel School District are expected to close next month because of there isn’t enough money to keep them open. Associated Ministries, a non-profit organization that has operated the Graham-area homes for three years, announced that its Advancement and Housing (YAH) program didn’t receive the government funding it needs to continue. The news has been met with sadness and concern from the young adults living in the YAH homes, said Valorie Crout, the chief program officer. She said Associated Ministries is trying to find other housing for them. Bethel School District, which has been a partner with Associated Ministries in YAH, is looking for a long-term solution to keep the current homes open. But for now, both are scheduled to close Dec. 1. Crout thanked district officials for “working alongside us” in the effort to protect “the well-being of students experiencing homelessness in the district.” She said YAH helped increase community awareness of homelessness among young people and support for them in the form of advocacy and resources . YAH is among transitional housing programs that annually apply for funding administered by Pierce County through its Community Connections Department. But funding for such programs has decreased over the past two years in Pierce County and nationally, according to Crout. This year, YAH and several other programs in the homeless housing system didn’t receive the level of funding they requested. Bethel officials said homeless students need a safe place to live and study in order to complete their education. Many students served by YAH “have graduated from high school, attended college, and found long-term employment,” said district spokeswoman Krista Carlson. “This program gives children a chance to have meaningful, successful and productive lives.” Each of the current homes – one for males, the other for females – can accommodate five students. Jay Brower, the school district’s director of community connections, said the residences generally serve students who are 18 to 21 years old while they are finishing their high school educations. Some older than 21 become resident coordinators. “Most go on to be successful in college, at places of employment or in other post-secondary endeavors,” Brower said. “For example, one resident received a full ride scholarship to a college in Oregon. Another left the home to provide nursing care for a member of (a local) Kiwanis club.” That student, he added, “went on for more schooling and training” that enabled her to “end her homeless circumstances and pursue her dreams.” Between 2005 and 2012, youth leaving the homes graduated from high school at rates higher than the state average, Brower said, noting, “This was due to the strong support they received from adults in the program and community.” The YAH homes are on school district property and are owned by the district. Working with the district, agencies manage the homes without paying rent. The agencies do pay utilities and maintain the homes. Church groups and Boy Scout troops often clean the grounds or do improvements as community-service projects. “Just in the last year, scouts have painted the inside of both homes. And an Eagle Scout candidate is creating raised garden beds at the boys’ home so the residents can grow and sell vegetables and flowers next year,” Brower said. “What a shame that those efforts might be halted with the closing of these homes.” Before Associated Ministries took over management of the homes in 2013, they were operated by Youth Resources from 2005 to 2012. The district hopes to find another non-profit agency or community organization to run the homes as long-term as possible. “We’re looking for sustainability so that the students can trust that the homes won’t open and close,” Brower said. Associated Ministries will continue its efforts to limit homelessness among students and all others in Pierce County, Crout said. In addition to the Bethel School District, she thanked several community and business organizations — Spanapark Lions, Boy Scouts, Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, and Key Bank – for their support of YAH.
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