What began three years ago as an idea to take on homelessness in Kitsap County, is now “home” to 103-formerly housing-insecure seniors, those with disabilities, college students, veterans, and mothers with kids. That was the report Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians heard from Rae Holt, Communications Director for Kitsap Homes of Compassion, at their Dec 2 meeting. Homes of Compassion, whose mission is to “eliminate homelessness in Kitsap County one shared home at a time,” currently operates twenty-one shared homes across the county. Speaking for the third time to the Club, Holt reminded members that KHOC rents homes with four or more bedrooms in communities, near transit and services, at market rates, then offers those in homelessness their own bedroom, at an affordable fee, about $700. Residents of the homes are able to feel a sense of community, dignity, and responsibility as a result. The home in Kingston, for men, has four residents, with capacity for five. Seventy-five percent of KHOC residents remain in the program, or move to long-term housing. More info at: kitsaphoc.org.
All Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians are reminded by Satellite Club President David Winn about the Satellite Club’s Holiday Card writing project. The goal is to prepare 120 holiday cards with greetings of good will and friendship for residents of Martha and Mary. The Club is also preparing small gifts for needy elderly to be distributed by ShareNet. More info is available in a Dec 1 email from Winn to all Club members.