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PROVIDE A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE PLACE TO LIVE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN, SINGLE MOTHERS, AND THEIR CHILDREN WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN PIERCE COUNTY, WHILE HELPING THEM ADDRESS THEIR INDIVIDUAL BARRIERS TO HOUSING. PROVIDE EDUCATION, OPPORTUNITIES, AND TOOLS FOR WOMEN TO FIND PERMANENT HOUSING AND ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY.

WE ARE PLEASED TO REPORT THAT WE SERVED A RECORD 285 WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN IN 2023 WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THE CASES ARE MORE COMPLEX THAN EVER BEFORE THAT WE ARE SEEING WITH FENTANYL CAUSING HAVOC WITH FAMILIES WHILE RENTING COSTS HAVE EXPLODED. SOME WOMEN THAT COME TO US ARE FLEEING UNSAFE LIVING SITUATIONS BECAUSE OF THEIR PARTNERS; 85% ARE STRUGGLING WITH SOME KIND OF ADDICTION THEMSELVES AND MOST HAVE PENDING CASES WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES. COMPOUNDING THESE FACTORS ARE ESCALATING COSTS FOR BASIC NEEDS SUCH AS FOOD.

WE ARE THRILLED TO REPORT THAT MONIQUE (MO) PATTERSON PARTICIPATED IN A 16-WEEK PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON TACOMA TO BECOME A TRAINER AND PROVIDER OF AN INTENSIVE PARENTING CLASS. SHE WILL BE ABLE TO OFFER THE PROGRAM TO NEXT CHAPTER MOTHERS (AFTER SHE COMPLETES AN ADDITIONAL TEN WEEKS OF INTENSIVE TRAINING). ALL MOTHERS WITH CHILDREN IN EITHER FOSTER CARE OR KINSHIP CARE ARE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM. HOWEVER, THERE ARE NOT MANY PROVIDERS (AND NONE AT HOMELESS SHELTERS) OFFERING THIS RIGOROUS TRAINING. MO REPORTS THE TRAINING IS TARGETED TO MOTHERS OF CHILDREN 0 TO 3 YEARS OF AGE IN ORDER TO TEACH MOTHERS TO OBSERVE CUES IN VERY YOUNG CHILDREN THAT WILL HELP THE MOTHERS BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR CHILDREN'S BEHAVIOR. THE TRAINING IS INTENDED TO TEACH AND SHOW MOTHERS HOW NOT TO GET OVERWHELMED; AND PROVIDES THEM WITH THE INSIGHTS TO PRAISE THEIR CHILDREN WHEN THEY DO WELL, AND COMFORT THEIR YOUNG ONES WHEN THEY NEED EMPATHY. NEXT CHAPTER'S PREFERENCE IS TO REUNITE MOTHERS WITH THEIR CHILDREN WHENEVER SAFE TO DO SO. ONCE MO (AND LATER, TIFFANY) IS TRAINED, THEY WILL RECEIVE A STIPEND OF $5,000 TO $8,000 WHICH WILL HELP SUPPORT NEXT CHAPTER'S WORK ALLOWING US A NEW REVENUE STREAM.

WE ARE PROUD OF OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE INSTITUTE FOR BLACK JUSTICE (IBJ). TOGETHER, WE ARE HOSTING A LEGAL CLINIC SOMETIME THIS SPRING OR EARLY SUMMER FOR UP TO 200 WOMEN (THAT'S OUR CAP). THE POINT OF THIS CLINIC IS TO OBTAIN FREE LEGAL SERVICES FOR OUR WOMEN WITH TICKETS, PENDING CHARGES, ISSUES OF PARENTING WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND TO HELP CLEAR UP THEIR CRIMINAL RECORDS WHICH ARE OFTEN BARRIERS TO SECURING EMPLOYMENT AND SAFE HOUSING.