YWCA of Kitsap County Receives $25,000 Grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

BREMERTON, Wash. -- The YWCA of Kitsap County recently received a grant of $25,000 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support the YWCA's 'Keeping ALIVE Alive' Campaign. Funds raised from the campaign will renovate and upgrade Kitsap County's only shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children.

"Kitsap County does not have an adequate supply of emergency shelter to support the needs in our community," said Linda K. Joyce, executive director of the Kitsap County YWCA.  "Until that happens, maintaining what we have in excellent and safe condition is critical to support the needs of women and children homeless as a result of domestic violence. Just last year alone, we provided shelter for 104 women and 76 children."

The confidentially located YWCA ALIVE Shelter may house up to 17 women and children at any given time.
 
In order for the YWCA to accomplish its goal of improving the safety and comfort of women and children residing at the shelter, the project objectives include significant upgrades to: maintain the condition of the building; optimize the safety and comfort of the shelter residents through the installation of a video surveillance security system and heating reconfigurations; and exceed state required safety codes through the installation of a fire sprinkler system. 

Annually, the YWCA assists more than 5,000 women, men and children with supportive services targeted to families affected by domestic violence and their children, families with children at-risk for neglect and abuse, pregnant and parenting teens, and at-risk youth.  The YWCA operates services from three sites in Kitsap County: the YWCA Community Center located at 905 Pacific Avenue in downtown Bremerton, the YWCA ALIVE Bainbridge Island/North Kitsap Domestic Violence Program and the YWCA ALIVE Shelter both in confidential locations.  For more information about YWCA programs and services, or to get a copy of our wish list, please call 360.479.0522.

 

On the Internet:
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, www.gatesfoundation.org
YWCA (USA), www.ywca.org