Seattle, WA. ROOTS (Rising out of the Shadows) Young Adult Shelter has remained in operation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and successfully moved locations. Now located in the University of Washington’s Greek community, the shelter houses up to 45 individuals experiencing homelessness every night, aged 18-25. Above, volunteers pose in front of the repurposed fraternity house.
ROOTS began looking for a new location in April 2018. After several months with no success, an article ran about the search in 2019. The next day, the owner of what is now the new ROOTS building reached out. The deal closed in August 2019. The shelter officially opened its doors after renovations in March of 2021.
The shelter space is thoroughly cleaned daily before guests arrive in the evening.
According to Volunteer Services Manager Jordan Beaudry, the COVID-19 pandemic changed “every facet of operations, from top to bottom.” ROOTS implemented a 6-8 pm cleaning slot that assures “every square inch of shelter space” is safe for guests. This cleaning window will likely stick around as part of the daily procedures, Beaudry says.
To keep guests and volunteers safe, ROOTS has adhered to strict social distancing measures. Before the pandemic, guests were able to eat communal meals. Guests now eat at their individual mats to promote social distancing. Everyone who enters the building is required to wear a mask, have their temperature checked, and complete a COVID-19 screening. It is because of these measures that ROOTS has been able to remain open throughout the pandemic with no closures.
ROOTS has five individuals showers, five individual toilets, and a laundry facility for guests.
Beaudry says ROOTS is “always looking for volunteers,” particularly in the overnight or overnight adjacent shifts. The ROOTS team has hopes to expand the facility to include drop-in daytime services, transitional living, mental health resources, and wraparound services. To implement these goals, donations are necessary. Cash donations of any size “go a super super long way,” according to Beaudry.
The ROOTS team is excited to provide expanded services like transitional housing in the future.
ROOTS emphasizes the peer-led approach to foster connectivity and shared humanity. For those looking to get involved, click to learn about donations and volunteer opportunities.
From ROOTS:
Founded in 1999 with the vision that everyone deserves a safe place to call home, ROOTS (Rising out of the Shadows) was Seattle’s first overnight shelter designed to meet the unique needs of homeless young adults ages 18 – 25 years old.
The organization’s mission is to build community and foster dignity through access to essential services and a safe place to sleep for young adults experiencing life on the streets.
Since its inception, ROOTS has served over 8,500 unique guests and provided them with hot dinner, breakfast, laundry, showers, clean clothing, hygiene items, and referral services.
In 2017, ROOTS added onsite case management that resulted in 87 guests exiting shelter into housing, and in 2018 showed an increase of over 100 guests exits to housing. With young adults and other low-income persons in mind, ROOTS advocates for social justice and long-term solutions for the communities it serves.
On any given night, ROOTS has 45 overnight shelter beds open for young people ages 18-25.
For more info click here: ROOTS.
