March 5, 2013: This post has been updated to reflect the passage of SB 5147 concerning juveniles and runaway children.
The following is a guest post by Ray Lumpp–a writer for AllTreatment.com, a local resource for individuals and families facing addiction and mental health issues in Washington State.
Seattle boasts a comprehensive support network for adults facing addiction and mental health issues: from the free Wallingford public library, one can find local food banks, needle exchanges, drop-in centers, and emergency housing. Solid Ground, a non-profit that focuses on ending poverty and homelessness in the Wallingford community, is based out of the exact same building. With a rise in homeless youth, the services and systems are changing to include people under the age of 18—a problem which, only recently, has been addressed in most major cities. Until last month, if a person under the age of 18 appeared at a homeless shelter, the provider had to notify the parents or police within 24 hours, as stated in the Becca Bill.
“So they just quit going,” explained Kathleen Murphy, a shelter manager at ROOTS young adult shelter in the neighboring University District. “They would get picked up by pimps or they would be endangered in other ways because that’s who would take them in.”
The new bill, signed into law on February 28th, 2013, opened a window of 72 hours until notification, giving shelters and providers time to develop relationships, to get to know the individuals and their problem, and to work with them before notifying their parents or police. While it may seem wrong to increase the amount of time before a runaway is reunited with his or her family, many teenagers experiencing homelessness are from families which can no longer support them in times of economic downturn or are escaping domestic abuse, and a homeless youth shelter is better than living on the street.
The bill’s passage marks a recognition of the youth homeless population that many cities have failed to make; Los Angeles first attempted a count of young adults living on the street in 2011 (It found 3,600: the city had shelter capacity for only 17 percent of them). Wallingford and the rest of Seattle benefit from city and community programs focusing on homeless youth already in place, but still many shelters must turn people away. The best way to help is to get involved: Solid Ground was started by community members nearly four decades ago, and ROOTS has been operating for 8 years without needing to close due to lack of volunteers. If you’d like to volunteer your time or donate food or clothing to Solid Ground, click here. The nearby 45th Street Clinic also serves homeless youth by providing basic medical and dental care, as well as invaluable access to information and services. Please help end the local problem of homelessness in Seattle, especially for those under the age of 18.
the 72 hour rule has been passed by the legislature so it should be reinstated… it is waiting for the Governor’s signature!
Interesting that it’s Solid Ground saying that – because they have a police officer interrogating everyone in line at their food bank. Don’t get me wrong – it’s a great consistent food bank, and I understand tensions rise sometimes… but last month I saw them dump a pile of food in front of the line, just to watch them scramble out of line, while the officer laughed and the old people were too late.
MEMORANDUM
To: ‘Izzy Said’ Wallyhood Blog
SUBJECT: Response to (3/4/13 blog entry)
FROM: Jake Weber, Executive Director
FamilyWorks
Family Resource Center & Food Bank
DATE: March 8, 2013
I wanted to follow up on Izzy’s comments regarding the FamilyWorks Food Bank (which is located in the same building as Solid Ground, but we are two separate organizations).
I want you to know that I have investigated your blog entry comments. The food bank occasionally provides a variety of food products to our customers before the food bank opens. Sometimes the process can be a little chaotic and we will give some consideration to this practice. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that all of our customers have access to healthy food and other services that they need.
FamilyWorks provides a secure and safe environment for both staff and customers. We do have a retired police officer who works during the food bank hours. He is well known and respected by our customers. He routinely engages in conversation with our customers and they appreciate his interest in their livelihoods. Dwaine also assists in keeping the food bank running smoothly!
I apologize if anything happened the day you visited that seemed disrespectful.
FamilyWorks is a welcoming, supportive place for families and people in north central Seattle. We welcome anyone who needs our assistance and a safe place to visit.
I invite you to visit us again for a guided tour of our center.
Thank You,
Jake Weber