New service center for youth & young adults at risk of homelessness opens in Walla Walla

An Eastern Washington nonprofit has opened a new center to help teens and youth at risk of becoming homeless.

Catholic Charities Walla Walla is hosting a grand opening for The Spark, which offers supportive services and essential assistance for 12 to 24 years old who are experiencing homelessness or are unstably housed, according to a news release from the nonprofit.

The most recent Washington Department of Commerce data shows more than 2,100 people in Walla Walla County are either unsheltered or in unstable housing.

That number has increased by about 100 in just the last year. Of that number, about 1,530 are considered unsheltered or are staying in emergency shelters.

More than 10% of that population is under 25. That’s nearly 200 people unsheltered and even more at risk of becoming homeless.

“We are working to connect with at-risk young people who lack permanent housing and help them overcome barriers to set themselves up for success,” said Heidi Meliah, Youth Services Director.

Meliah works closely on the project with Ruthell Martinez, program manager for The Spark.

Catholic Charities Walla Walla is part of Catholic Charities Eastern Washington, which opened a supportive housing project for adults in Pasco last year.

Bishop Skylstad Commons is a 60-unit apartment project for people experiencing long-term homelessness. It’s the first of its kind in Tri-Cities.

The nonprofit also operates about two dozen other housing initiatives in Eastern Washington, including similar projects for families.

Reducing homelessness

The Spark is meant to build on the success of The Loft, a temporary housing project focused on youth in Walla Walla.

The nonprofit said the Loft helped cut Walla Walla’s count of homeless young people and youth experiencing homelessness in half between 2020 and 2021, according to the release.

That effort, led locally by Tim Meliah, CCEW regional director, was among the most successful projects of the statewide “Anchor Community Initiative” to end youth homelessness.

The project was the idea of the nonprofit’s Youth Action Board, which is made up of 17 young people who have experience with housing instability to help better understand the gaps in services, and to harness their collective voice to implement communitywide efforts.

“We’re able to offer everything from the initial list developed by the Youth Advisory Board – and more,” Heidi Meliah said.

The Spark will offer access to laundry, showers, hygiene products and clothing, computers for homework and employment search, private meeting areas to practice job interviews, and connections to an array of services and support from other community agencies and partners.

On-site case managers and multi-disciplinary teams coordinate services needed by participants, including support for family reconciliation and the identification of other services these youth may need to obtain permanent stable housing.

More services for unhoused

Partnering agencies will be able to refer young people directly to The Spark, who can, in turn, connect them with outside service providers, such as behavioral health or physical health support, education systems, legal support, substance use support and other resources.

“We see the young people who need help to access the services that exist to support them and we’re focused on doing all we can to get these individuals the assistance that will get them on the right track,” Martinez said.

The Spark offers different hours for different age groups — concentrating young adult services in the morning when the younger population is in school, then providing after-school assistance for those under 18.

“Our goal is to help the youth who walk through the door achieve safety and stability by creating a supportive team, emphasizing the importance of relationships,” Martinez said.

“Many youth and young adults are often vulnerable and scared, making relationship-building crucial. This begins with our outreach team being present in schools and collaborating with other community partners. By listening carefully, respecting their concerns, and working together to meet their needs, we aim to build the trust and rapport that will help them progress,” Martinez said.

The open house celebration is 3-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5 at 30 N. Roosevelt St., Walla Walla.