The Volunteers of America’s (VOA) new four-story shelter, Hope House, received 60 new twin beds from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Wednesday, April 21. About 30 members and 20 missionaries from the Spokane Stake met at the new shelter located in Downtown Spokane on Saturday, April 24, to help unpack boxes and assemble furniture for the shelter, as the beds had been distributed to the rooms the day before.
Stake President, Darrell Moseley, said, “I’m so pleased to see how the Volunteers of America work with women experiencing homelessness to encourage and assist them in rebuilding their lives and become self-sustaining. I see they are providing a hand up and this fits well with the way the Church strives to help people help themselves.”
Ms. Fawn Schott, CEO, gave a tour to President and Sister Moseley and other members of the Spokane Stake. The new facility is a “dream come true” for Fawn and her team. In addition to the 60 apartments, there are 80 emergency shelter beds and 20 respite beds for women who are recovering from injury or illness. A commercial kitchen will allow volunteers, including youth and leaders of the Spokane Stake, to help prepare and serve meals for the women staying in the emergency shelter. (This can begin once the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.)
President Moseley told Fawn that the Spokane Stake is willing to provide for future needs and she was thrilled with the offer. Items such as laundry soap, toiletries, and linens will be needed. President Moseley also asked if they could use coats, socks, and gloves in the winter and Fawn answered, “Yes, definitely.” The new shelter falls within the boundaries of the Spokane Stake and serves a growing population of women experiencing homelessness in the greater Spokane area.
— Jennifer J. Hicks, Communication Director, Spokane Washington Stake
The Spokane Stake Sentinel 