Published on September 10, 2021
The Doorway Project is an initiative co-led by the University of Washington and YouthCare, an agency offering individualized services to young people experiencing homelessness in Seattle/King County. The Doorway Project works to address youth and young adult homelessness in the University District through centering youth wellbeing and agency in the development of emancipatory and creative programming. They seek the knowledge and guidance of young people who live, work, or learn here in this neighborhood, amplifying their voices and following their lead through the Youth Action Board (YAB). Seema Clifasefi, Doorway Project UW Lead is an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Co-Director of the Harm Reduction Research & Treatment Center.
This year, the Doorway Project launched a variety new initiatives including the Youth Action Board (a program designed to train the next generation of leaders and activists to identify and work toward social and racial justice and equity), Healing Pages (a book club developed by and for young adults with lived experience of homelessness and a weekly space for young people to come together), Bloom (an urban gardening internship), and more.
The Doorway Project also strengthened their community engagement through partnerships with the Community Engagement & Leadership Education (CELE) Center Undergraduate Community-Based Internships (UCBI). Student interns kept the community informed through social media and e-newsletter communication, compiled a cookbook based on items at the University District Food Bank, and facilitated conversations around racial equity with the Race and Social Justice Team at ROOTS Young Adult Center.
On Friday, June 4th, the Doorway Project held a community resource fair in partnership with over 20 community organizations and government agencies. Over 250 community members came out to connect with the different resources of support that are available to them. Upon entering and signing up, each person was met with services from community partners, including: Youthcare, Sanctuary Art Center, One Health Clinic, YMCA Social Impact Center, ROOTS young adult shelter, UW Youth Clinic, Neighborcare Health, Kaiser Permanente, The Squeaky Toy, Northwest Education Access, Seattle T2P2, Seattle King County Coalition on Homelessness, Seattle Community Fridge, Teen Feed, Washington State Health Department, and Orca Lift.
Learn more about the Doorway Project here and continue reading the Year End Report here.
Originally written for the Doorway Project.