The Foundation provides modest support to organizations in Snohomish County to honor Senator Jackson’s long history in the area. In the past several years, the Foundation has directed some of that funding to address homelessness. One such organization, HopeWorks Social Enterprises, recently opened an environmentally-friendly building in Everett that includes 65 affordable-housing units, provides job training programs, and serves as a community hub.
Jackson Foundation funds supported its culinary training program development and the purchase of lovely wood tables for Kindred Kitchen, its café and catering business that’s open to the public. The business offers trainees the chance to learn employable skills, including food preparation, problem solving, and customer service.
HopeWorks dedicated many of the affordable housing units to those with particular needs, including families in drug court, military veterans, and homeless youth.
Anna Marie Laurence represented the Foundation at the opening events and had this to say:
After touring HopeWorks Station II, I felt excited for both the new residents and the Snohomish County community. The residents will live in an energy-efficient building where individuals can enjoy a community gathering room and an open courtyard, gain job skills in the state-of-the-art training kitchen, and easily get around in the bicycle-friendly surroundings – all just a few blocks from the Everett Station. As a community member, I am proud knowing that we are helping to provide housing and job training to some of our most challenged residents. I look forward to stopping in at HopeWorks Kindred Kitchen. We believe that HopeWorks Station will give residents and interns a feeling of safety, and will help them fulfill their own hopes and dreams.
Click here to view a short video of the new residents made by A Peace of My Mind.
We are glad to have been a part of this important local partnership.
–Maura Sullivan, Program Officer
photos courtesy of Housing Hope