YWCA Salem Oregon

housing & shelter

It's a dream come true. The YWCA homeless shelter for families is moving.

Homeless shelter is moving

In an exciting development, the YWCA Salem has moved its Salem Outreach Shelter (“SOS”) into larger quarters on October 15, 2007, realizing a long-term goal of the Board of Directors to increase capacity at the shelter. Thanks to the generosity of a local Salem businessman and other community partners, this dream is coming true. Previously, we were able to provide transitional housing and supportive services for 10 families; with this move, we are able to serve 15 families at one time.

SOS provides transitional housing while people solve the problems that made them homeless; we help people understand how to better budget their money and we alleviate suffering by providing food, clothing and access to medical care and other essentials. But, we cannot do all of this for an additional five families without help. We are hoping that, by providing financial support to the YWCA’s transitional housing program, you can help us reduce the real suffering which we see each day on the faces of the parents and children who come to the shelter.

The YWCA has taken a leap of faith with this move, believing that the community will help meet the challenge of finding the additional funding needed to support the expansion. It is estimated operational costs at the shelter will increase by as much as $50,000 annually. We are hoping that you will help us in this effort to increase services which are so critical to homeless families and children.

At the YWCA Salem, we don’t just offer a handout; we offer direction and support for families in need to take the road to self-sufficiency. Please help SOS continue to be a center of strength and support for homeless families in transition.

$63,000 raised for homeless families at the YWCA Salem Outreach Shelter luncheon

December 11, 2007 – The YWCA’s Salem Outreach Shelter held its 10th annual fundraising luncheon, “Bringing Families Home,” on December 6, 2007 at the historic Mission Mill. The luncheon was underwritten by a generous sponsorship from Withnell Dodge-Hyundai, with supporting contributions from Dale’s Remodeling and Kaufman Homes, Inc.

Luncheon fare was catered by Sassy Onion Grill. In her welcoming remarks, YWCA Executive Director, Carol Green, commented, “It is so meaningful that we are able to open this expanded program now, when there are so many homeless families in Marion and Polk Counties in need of the vital safety net services that the YWCA provides.” The program included a video featuring families currently living at SOS. Guest speakers included a family that lived at SOS this year and now lives in permanent housing.

Luncheon table captains were Dean Allen, Donna Armstrong, Melissa Seifer Briggs, Pauline Brusch, Sue Corner, Karen Craven, Bruce Flaming, Janet Friesen, Carol Green, Andy Harris, Rory Kaneshiro, Sue Kaufman, Gary Kaufman, Hollie Lindauer, Karen Lord, Jan Margosian, Debbie McGrath, Jawea Mockabee, Lucinda Moyano, Louise Newswanger, Parviz Samiee, Ellen Stevens, Sally Shackelford, and the following organizations: Tuesday CBW, Soroptimists International of Salem, Capital City Exchange Club, and the Goldwing Road Riders – Chapter G.

The shelter moved to a larger facility in October 2007, which has enabled the YWCA to increase by 50% its capacity to house families in transition.

The luncheon raised over $63,000 for the YWCA’s shelter operations. This income will enable the YWCA to help cover the increased expenses due to the shelter expansion. The new facility can provide housing for up to 15 families at one time. The average stay at the shelter is four months.

Donations are still needed to help cover the needs of the additional families who will stay at the shelter. To find out more about how you can help, or to learn more about SOS, please call Wendy Laudette at 503-581-9922 x106, write to SOS Program Director Laura Lenhardt c/o the YWCA at 325 – 13th Street, Salem, OR 97301, or visit www.ywcasalem.org/sos.


About the homeless shelter for families

S.O.S. is a transitional housing program for homeless families in Marion and Polk Counties. Fifteen families reside at the shelter at one time for an average of three months. During this time families must strive for a successful future with permanent housing, stable income, and a resource base to obtain long-term stability.

Working to end the cycle of homelessness by providing:

  • Safe shelter for homeless parents and their children
  • Extensive evaluation of the factors that led to homelessness
  • Case management and intervention
  • Basic life-skill building such as money management
  • Education to be more employable and help seeking employment
  • Help with placement into affordable housing

Ending homelessness isn’t just providing a home

Families that come to the Salem Outreach Shelter make a commitment to change their lives. The goal of the shelter is to assist families in accomplishing their dream of returning to a sustainable living situation so they can take their place as contributing members of the community.

Each family is involved with intensive case management and education. Families develop a plan with the case manager and review and update it weekly to make sure they are on track to return to the community.

We promote money management and encourage responsible living. Families contribute $25 or four hours of service per week to the shelter. Families also place half of any disposable income into a savings account. This money is then available to the family to cover move-in deposits and expenses when they are ready to move out of the shelter. All school age children attend school while in the shelter.

You may be surprised to know:

  • The average age of a homeless person in the United States is nine.
  • Families make up over 40% of the homeless population.
  • SOS served over 59 families and 136 children in 2006.
  • Lack of affordable housing causes the average stay to increase.
  • All families who stay at the shelter have a child or children under the age of eighteen. Most families have children under the age of twelve.
  • Three nutritious meals are served daily at the shelter.
  • Each family in the shelter has their own room.

How you can help

The money, clothing, and volunteer hours that are contributed go directly to helping these families overcome their homelessness and return to self-sufficiency. It is only through the generosity of our donors that we are able to serve the number of families and children that we do.

If you would like to contribute financially, mail your donation to the shelter at: PO BOX 13087, Salem, OR, 97309

  • $1500 pays one month’s utilities
  • $500 buys food for two weeks
  • $250 pays for educational program materials
  • $50 buys milk for a week

Volunteers are always needed to help out around the shelter. From activities with children and parents, to yard work, to painting, to tutoring/mentoring school age children, your help is always needed and appreciated! You can help on a regular basis or for a one-time project. Just call the shelter at 503-588-8898 for more information or click here to submit your interest at volunteermatch.org.”


YWCA Salem Outreach Shelter
2933 Center St, Salem OR 97303
503-588-8898

Our top 5 needs

  • Silverware
  • Dish Soap
  • 33-Gallon Trash Bags
  • Toilet Tissue
  • Pillows

Shelter supplies

  • Paper towels
  • All-purpose cleaners
  • First aid supplies
  • Flashlights & batteries
  • Shower curtains & liners
  • Bath towels
  • Wash cloths
  • Bedding - twin size & full size

Office supplies

  • Stamps
  • Copy paper – 8 1/2 x 11, white
  • Paper clips, tape, sticky notes

Always needed

  • Financial Contributions
  • Clothing & Shoes (men, women, & children’s)
  • Personal Care / Hygiene Items
  • Underclothes (new only)
  • Socks (new only)

Other

  • Movie rental gift certificates for Fri & Sat family movie times
  • VHS Movies (rated G, PG, PG-13)

Food

  • Canned Fruit, Applesauce
  • Canned Tomatoes
  • Spaghetti Sauce
  • Chili, Soup (tomato, beef, veg)
  • Pasta
  • Peanut Butter, Jam/Jelly
  • Frozen Chicken
  • “Cream of” Soups
  • Condiments

Family needs

  • Phone Cards
  • Bus Passes
  • Personal Care Items
  • Diapers
  • Feminine Hygiene Products

Thank you for supporting SOS with your donations. Please bring donations Mondays and/or Fridays only. Call for special arrangements. Also, we ask that items be clean & in good working condition as we do not have the resources to repair or dispose of unusable items. Thanks!