Contrary to the prevailing perception, East King County has many homeless women who are not only chronically poor, but come from all walks of life. For some it may be the first time they have had to ask for help. There are few social service resources for women; living on the streets is far more dangerous for women than men…women are literally sleeping in doorways, stairwells and in their cars. The State of Washington has not shown the political will to provide for those in need. The City of Bellevue and other Eastside municipalities have made every effort to increase their budgets. Unfortunately, the demand for basic needs is increasing throughout the Eastside. There remains a critical lack of affordable or subsidized housing; it is estimated that 245 additional housing units with supportive services for homeless women are needed in East King County.^[1]

In 2011, The Sophia Way staff conducted an informal count of homeless people on the grounds of the Bellevue First Congregational Church where our shelter is located. Our shelter was full that night, with 10 women sleeping inside, and there were an additional 15 homeless people sleeping outside on the church property — in cars, in dumpsters and in doorways. We turn away 1 in 5 women; we provided shelter to 366 unduplicated women in 2011. In the 1st quarter of 2012, the Sophia Way has turned away 1 in 17 women. Sadly, the most significant portion of this demographic is older women who are experiencing elder abuse and/or lack of Social Security benefits. Since our inception, we have now provided services to 626 women.

Client Success Requires

• Providing services for clients that aid them along their independent journeys.
• Helping individuals attain self-sufficiency through continued case management, life skills, companion program, financial and employment coaching.
• Providing women with housing options once they’ve reached their goal of self-sufficiency.

[1]The Face of Homelessness in East King County- Eastside Human Services Forum