The Sophia Way

Our friends at Friends of Youth recently announced a partnership with the Shoreline Fire Department to offer six new Safe Place sites. Safe Place is a homelessness prevention initiative for youth aged 12-17. We love seeing the community come together to prevent homelessness! "Fire departments are symbols of safety in our communities, and their role is especially vital for youth facing homelessness. The Shoreline Fire Department will play a key role in providing stability and support by offering safe refuge and connecting youth with our Safe Place coordinators."

Thank you to Arpita Dacy (Mrs. Universe America 2023-2024) and her family for volunteering with the AmPowering organization to prepare sandwiches for Helen's Place Kirkland and Sophia's Place. She also donated cupcakes to celebrate her and her daughter's birthday. "We are very passionate about giving back and sharing positivity and love with our community. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to share love and positivity with the members of Helen's Place."

As we reflect on the past six months, we are deeply grateful to our community for their incredible compassion and generosity. Your support has given women experiencing homelessness hope and a path to a more stable future. Thanks to your generous donations, both financial and in-kind, women have received care and access to critical resources. They have found a safe place to shelter, empowering them to rebuild their lives. Our programs have served 309 women and supported 53 women in finding a home of their own.

Thank you to the Seattle Area Sigma Kappa Alumnae for this generous donation! "The results are in!! 512 Items Collected! Thank you to all of our sisters and friends that helped to make our Sigma Kappa Intimates Drive benefiting The Sophia Way such a resounding success! Our goal was to collect 150 basic essential items on behalf of the Sophia Way as our 150th Challenge and Day of Service project. This includes everything from intimate toiletries to bras and underwear. Not only did we reach our goal but surpassed it with 512 items!!! WOW! The Sophia Way is a place of hope and change for those that identify as women. They support those on their journey from homelessness to safe and stable living, giving purpose along the way. If you would like to support this wonderful cause, they have ongoing wish list items on their website: sophiaway.org"

With a heatwave and NWS HeatRisk in the orange category in the forecast, the King County Regional Homelessness Authority has activated Severe Weather protocols today through Monday, with the possibility of extending. People experiencing homelessness are at greater risk for adverse effects from exposure to extreme temperatures, so we are grateful for the KCRHA's support during this time. For a list of shelters and cooling centers in Seattle, North King County, South and Southeast King County, East King County, and the Snoqualmie Valley, visit https://lnkd.in/dS4PGggQ.

We are excited to announce a new way to engage with and stay connected with The Sophia Way! We will share updates, inspiring stories, and the impact of your donations via text message. When you receive a text from 425.207.4435, you can trust it is from The Sophia Way. Thank you for supporting women on their journey to stable living.

Vira's journey led her from Ukraine to Washington State, seeking refuge and hope. As a senior unable to work and with very little social safety net, her options were limited. When she called The Sophia Way, we were able to find a place for Vira at The Lewith Cottages, our transitional housing program. Now, Vira is safe and stable. Her case manager supports her in finding resources that can lead to long-term security and stability. Vira's story is just one of many where our dedicated staff make a tangible impact. They are trained to navigate complex systems and forge partnerships to support each client's unique needs, transcending language barriers and adversities. Thank you for walking with Vira and others like her on their transformative journey.

We honor and uplift the voices of women with disabilities. Nearly half (48%) of the women we serve live with some form of disability. For unhoused women with disabilities, finding affordable housing is particularly challenging because they often cannot work, lack regular income, and rely on benefits. We are committed to ensuring these women have the opportunity to thrive. Our values are deeply entrenched in what we do and how we care for all women, including celebrating the diversity of experience for those with disabilities. To see our values visit sophiaway.org/about.

Our final #FlashbackFriday thank you related to The Sophia Way Community Brunch goes to the volunteers who helped with setup. Their hard work ensure that it was a beautiful event!

Thank you to GitHub for going above and beyond to staff The Sophia Way's donation center with great volunteers! We welcomed Github team members four times in April and May.