1000 second ave new service 3200 seapp washington 98104
© 2021©THE AGAPE HOUSE 2021
. I have served as NAME’s Executive Director for 10 years. NAME was founded 29 years ago and has been doing the important work of advocating for our underserved and marginalized community members through working to better equip teachers to teach and diverse student population, care for and support students and their family and working toward educational equity and true social justice. In my time with NAME I have served on the boards of a number of start-up non-profits and supported the work of others doing important work for our communities.
I am writing to commend and affirm the tireless efforts of The Agape House on behalf of marginalized, at-risk young women of color who are in need of housing, education, employment and an opportunity to experience the “playing field being balanced”. Kiti Ward is an exceptional leader with amazing vision and determination to see change brought about through social justice. Agape House’s overt efforts to identify and recruit
black and brown girls, to empower them through positive role models, training/education programs, group meetings, consistent affirmation, and now employment replete with a viable career path.
Agape House can easily brag about its great number of community volunteers and community commitment. Conversely, the greatest need for the agency is to increase its resource base to employ staff for consistent service delivery. This is the main reason I take great pleasure in endorsing this incredible agency, its extraordinary leader and their timely and loving commitment to serve those most often overlooked — brown and black18-24
year old woman. Your support of this important organization would be appreciated.
I came from proverty and grew up without any guidance or structure. Like most in the foster care system I was lost and had to put my all into fighting for a better life. Unfortunately without help the foster care system is often a gateway to poverty and instability for most former foster youth. Agape house helped me obtain the confidence I needed to go after my dream. Agape house showed me people that look like me can become something amazing. I want to help people who face unbelievable barriers become stable and successful. It is important that youth like me have role models in their community that can help guide them in a different way. Agape house has demonstrated the ability to connect youth with resources, provide stable and affordable housing, and work on career and education plans. The services that Agape house offers will benefit young adults transitioning into adulthood have a smooth transition into becoming a stable productive member of society. Unfortunately Agape house can only help in very limited way running off of volunteers. I am confident that the Agape house having paid staff would provide better services and more resources. Agape house helps provides the inspiration, motivation,and drive to elevate your life.
A mentorship, either mother or business, gives the young 1 on 1 time with an interested, trained adult who can be there for the young woman, offering advice and a listening heart and ear.
Because of partnerships with business and industry we are able to see young women hired and offered internships. The Agape House is working with business to develop skills in the young woman that will ultimately give her another reason to be hired. Besides working with Goodwill and Score (Service Corps of Retired Executives_the agency has found new connections with Unions.
skills, Stem programs, culturally competent education, GED and high school diploma education to the young women who we serve. We also offer internships,subsidies and scholarships to those who want to get their education in spite of lack of resources. Statistics reveal that only 3-4% of those youth in foster care ever get to attend college, only 50% graduate from high school. We are committed to activate the tools we have to see these proportions change,, to help embolden, empower our youth.
In King County women of color or Black, Indigenous People of Color (including Brown) comprise approximately 4% of those in the county yet are approximately 35% of those in foster care and 40% of those who are homeless. Agape House is available to marginalized women until they are able to successfully move into independent housing offered to them through educational, training and employment opportunities.
Because homelessness is disproportionate to this group of youth, The Agape House provides early intervention, non-timed limited, safe housing, supportive services such as mother and business mentorship, employment, scholarships, internships, agency partnerships, educational programs, case management, crisis counseling and practical skill development to assist young women make a seamless transition to independent housing.
