Old Amazon site part of ‘game-changing moment’ to help Tri-Cities youth
A half-million dollar gift is helping a local nonprofit raise the money they need to double their space for youth mental health care in the Tri-Cities.
Lutheran Community Services Northwest - Tri-Cities recently announced a $500,000 anonymous gift to help kick-start a matching challenge to raise $1 million.
They’ll be using the money to move into the old Amazon call center on Canal Drive in Kennewick.
It’s expected to open in August. A ribbon cutting is set for Wednesday, Aug. 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 7011 W. Canal Dr.
About Lutheran’s services
Lutheran partners with school districts, juvenile justice programs, Greater Columbia Behavioral Health and others to help youth in crisis.
While the Columbia Valley Center for Recovery is ready to open, it will be several years before they can expand to offer crisis care for youth patients.
They serve more than 600 youth annually across three offices in Kennewick and Pasco. In Kennewick alone, they serve more than 400 clients each year.
Their current space is outdated and too small, they’re currently operating at 120% capacity, with community need continuing to grow.
That’s led to crisis calls being fielded in shared area, staff having to work at disconnected locations, trauma-informed care being given in spaces that aren’t helpful for it and the organization having to put off launching urgently needed substance use disorder programs.
Office expansion fundraiser
The anonymous donor has a strong connection to the Tri-Cities and is passionate about youth mental health, according to a news release from Lutheran.
They made the donation in recognition of a growing need for accessible, high-quality behavioral health services in the area. It will help the nonprofit directly increase capacity and improve care in a space designed for healing.
The new building will feature 25 new offices, 8 conference rooms, 3 staff break rooms, a food pantry, a play therapy room, training areas, teen rooms and more.
“This is a game-changing moment for our organization and our community,” said Tri-Cities District Director Sharon Gentry. “This donor understands our vision. It’s not just adding brick and mortar – it’s setting a new standard for behavioral healthcare in our region and challenging all of us to double the impact.”
Every dollar donated to the organization’s Tri-Cities Office Expansion Campaign, through March 31, 2027, will be matched up to $1 million.
Individuals, businesses, foundations, and grant makers can help reach the goal through one-time or recurring gifts, pledges, employer matching programs, donor-advised funds, and planned giving.
Lutheran also is hosting a new LCSNW Pickleball Tournament of Hope on Sept. 19 in Kennewick.
To learn more or to make a donation, visit lcsnw.org/project/tc-expansion.