For privacy, the storyteller in this account has asked to remain anonymous, so we’ll call her "Kate."
When Kate first met her now-husband, they were both working in Sedro Woolley. Life seemed manageable; they had jobs, each other, and hope for the future. But when her husband lost his job, everything changed. They moved to Bellingham in search of new opportunities yet found themselves facing a reality they hadn’t anticipated: homelessness.
They were young—she was only 19, and he was 21. With no permanent place to go and only the essentials strapped to their backs, they ended up sleeping behind a garbage bin, relying on their backpacks and sleeping bags for some semblance of security. “If you’re homeless, you’re looked down on,” Kate recalls. “We were just trying to figure out how to get out of homelessness.”
This is when they heard about the Ground Floor, a transformative drop-in program through Northwest Youth Services that serves as a safe haven and resource center for youth facing homelessness or unstable housing. Through the Ground Floor, Kate and her husband found immediate relief and support. They could access basic necessities—showers, food, a place to do laundry, and a secure spot to rest. Kate describes it as “basically a house to go to,” a stable place they could depend on during uncertain times. Staff members at the Ground Floor were also available to connect them with other resources, making sure that young people like Kate were seen, respected, and guided toward their next steps.
Soon after joining the Ground Floor, they were placed in HUSLY (Housing Under Served Low-Income Youth), Northwest Youth Services’ transitional housing program. HUSLY provided them with a room in a shared duplex with other young residents, offering a longer-term solution where they could experience true stability, often for the first time in months. This program goes beyond shelter, allowing young people to find structure and security and giving them a solid foundation to work toward their goals. As Kate recalls, “It really, really helped. Having those three months of safety and security to focus on getting out of houselessness was crucial for us.”
Even with HUSLY’s support, the journey wasn’t easy. They walked an hour to work every day, saving every penny to get back on their feet. When Northwest Youth Services noticed the challenge of their commute, they provided bikes, significantly cutting their travel time and making daily life more manageable. This practical support allowed them to focus on saving for an apartment and preparing for a future together beyond transitional housing.
With the ongoing support of the Ground Floor’s resources, Kate and her husband gradually built the foundation they needed. They secured an apartment, moving out of transitional housing and into a place of their own—a milestone that felt both surreal and empowering. “Thanks to Northwest Youth Services, we are no longer homeless,” Kate says proudly.
Now, Kate and her husband aren’t just thriving on their own—they’ve also started a family, and her son can access the same support that helped them build their life. “We can still use the Ground Floor, and so can my son now,” she shares, underscoring the ongoing role that Northwest Youth Services plays in their lives.
Kate’s story is a testament to the power of community-based programs and the resilience of those who rely on them. "If it weren't for the Ground Floor and programs like HUSLY, we would not be where we are at," Kate says. She recalls the challenges, like the fear of being followed and the stigma of homelessness. But in the end, she and her family found safety, stability, and a community that cared about them as individuals.
Join us this Giving Tuesday and help make stories like Kate’s possible. Together, we can create paths to stability for young people in need.
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