Oasis Teen Shelter Receives Lifesaving Grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

MOUNT VERNON, Wash -- The Oasis Teen Shelter announced today the receipt of a $30,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The three-year grant will help keep the doors open as the emergency teen shelter faces a loss of much needed state and local funding.

Currently in its third year of existence, the Oasis Teen Shelter annually provides more than 800 overnight stays. The demand for beds has increased steadily as the shelter gains the trust of teens and a reputation in the community for providing safe shelter.

"The demand for beds at the shelter has doubled since last year," said Oasis Program Manager Tami Rounsville. "We never want to be in the situation where we turn kids away due to a lack of funding. The grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation goes a long way toward ensuring the long-term health of the shelter. It is really the difference between us being open or closed."

"Gangs and violence are not just a big city problem," said William H. Gates, Sr., Co-Chair & CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "We need places like Oasis in communities where teens need safe and supervised emergency housing. The Foundation is proud to support the Oasis Teen Shelter and its tremendous service to the community."