Groundbreaking for Vision House Jacob's Well

600 Churches, organizations and community activists break ground April 11 in Shoreline to build housing for homeless families

 Architect's drawing for Vision House Jacob's Well in Shoreline

By Mary Burton, Communications Manager, Vision House

On Sunday, April 11, more than 150 people from various churches, community groups and construction companies celebrated a community partnership to bring supportive housing, services and child care to homeless families in north King and south Snohomish Counties.

The ground breaking ceremony honored the 600 donors, volunteers and supporters who are collaborating to build the Vision House Jacob’s Well complex. Located at 23rd Ave NE and Ballinger Way NE in Shoreline, the facility will consist of 20 housing units, a child care center, counseling offices and program space.

Photo: Business leaders

While addressing the crowd, Bob Ferguson, King County Council Chair, shared the importance of children having a home, “Children need a stable, safe, loving home to grow up in. This facility will be such a benefit to homeless mothers and their children – providing them all of the things they need to get back on their feet.”

Kurt Campbell, owner of Campbell, Nelson, Nissan and the original visionary for the Jacob’s Well project, stated, “It shocks me that there are more than 11,000 people who are homeless in King and Snohomish Counties. And even more disturbing is that 40% (over 4,500), of the homeless are families with children. There’s never been a greater need for a supportive housing complex in our community than right now.”

Shari Tracey, Shoreline councilmember, said "The number of private and corporate partners that have come together to get this project started is a clear demonstration of how important housing is and how badly these services are needed in our community. This will be an amazing facility, serving the needs of so many homeless kids and their moms. I'm happy that we could be a part of it." 

Ground Breaking VIPs

From Vision House
Susan Camerer, Co-Founder and Executive Director
John Camerer, Co-Founder and Director of Operations

From King County Council
Bob Ferguson, King County Council Chair

From City of Shoreline
Will Hall, Deputy Mayor, City of Shoreline
Shari Tracey, Council Member, City of Shoreline
Chris Roberts, Council Member, City of Shoreline

From City of Lake Forest Park
John Wright, Council Member, City of Lake Forest Park

About Vision House

For 20 years, Vision House has been providing supportive housing, services and child care to homeless mothers and their children, and separately to men recovering from drug or alcohol addiction. Vision House owns and operates four facilities in south King County, supporting approximately 85 homeless individuals at any one time. Since Vision House began in 1990, nearly 700 children, women and men have received housing and services to assist them in achieving independence and self sufficiency.

Vision House Jacob’s Well, a supportive housing complex for homeless children and mothers in Shoreline, began construction April 11, 2010. This facility will consist of 20 housing units, a child care center, counseling offices and program space. Even though acquiring funding during the economic downturn has been very challenging, the Jacob’s Well project is still moving forward. The project has been divided into 47 pieces and various construction companies, churches, community groups and individuals are stepping forward to help build this supportive housing complex.

 
Photo: Church leaders

Background on Vision House Jacob’s Well Project

In 2002, a small group of business leaders and clergy members gathered to discuss community needs in the north King and south Snohomish County areas. The group quickly realized they all had the same heart for homeless moms and kids and identified Vision House as an appropriate model of supportive housing they would like to see replicated in their community. This launched a movement with Vision House and over 600 companies, churches, community groups and individuals all coming together to build the Vision House Jacob’s Well complex to help homeless families rebuild their lives.

For more information, visit the Vision House web site: NoHomelessKids.org.