First Place Kicks Off New Drive to Help Seattle's Homeless Children With Grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

SEATTLE -- A grant of $1 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was announced today as the kick-off donation for a $5.5 million capital campaign to build a new and enlarged First Place, a model school and nonprofit program serving Seattle's homeless children and their families.

The Foundation grant also matches the combined initial pledges of board and advisory board members, and agency staff. When completed, the new building will allow First Place to triple the number of children it serves.

"Ironically, when the local economy is running at historic levels, the problems of homelessness are also on the rise," says Doreen Cato, Executive Director of First Place. "Last year we had to turn away some 80 homeless kids, and we applaud the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for helping us meet the needs of all of our community's homeless young people."

"The Foundation has been involved for some time helping First Place kids conquer the digital divide, by offering computer equipment, support, training and supplies," said Richard Akeroyd, the Foundation's Director of Libraries and Public Access to Information. "We're pleased to be a part of assuring that the work of First Place expands to reach all those who need it."

Mr. Norman B. Rice, former Seattle mayor and currently CEO of Federal Home Loan Bank, and his wife, Dr. Constance Rice, President of CWR, Inc., have been named honorary co-chairs of the capital campaign. The drive will run for the next 18 months, and upon completion in 2002, the new facility will serve a target of 150 students daily, while adding grades seven and eight to the present kindergarten-through-sixth grade program.

"Going to school can be a trying experience for many kids, but it's especially so when your classmates tease you or ignore you just because you don't have a permanent home," said Mr. Rice. "With all of the magnificent new commercial and civic structures planned or already completed in our city, Constance and I are just thrilled to be a part of helping build this one little one that can do so much."

Founded in 1989, First Place is a private, nonprofit school and social service agency devoted to helping children and families who are homeless, or in transition. It provides quality education in a safe, therapeutic Kindergarten-through-sixth grade setting, including counseling, supplies, clothing, transportation, meals, and a customized curriculum for each child. Last year, the average length of stay for students was 14 weeks.

In addition, the students' families are offered case management and counseling in employment, housing and heath care, as well as a wide range of related services to bring stability into their lives. The work of First Place is semi-confidential, due to the threat of domestic violence in some families.