Social services are not readily available in the small towns around Snoqualmie Valley in contrast with the $50 million investment offered by the mayor to address homelessness in the city. Kristen Zuray is among the concerned individuals who devote their time for homeless kids.
She founded "The Trail Youth" in Issaquah three years ago. They visit trails where homeless teens can be found, providing coffee and donuts to befriend them and get to know. This is how they learned about their needs-, says My Northwest.
It was in Issaquah that the people in the community service told Zuray that the source of their drugs is just in a neighboring town. Following the inspection in Snoqualmie Valley Trail in North Bend, the journey proceeds to the Two Rivers School where they found students opening up about their homelessness.
The scrutiny on the forest-lined gravel trail was also conducted to find signs of encampments. Zuray narrates the story of a young man in Issaquah. He was not friendly when he first arrived but he was brought to the hospital for stab wounds. They even searched for his brother and some friends to accompany him while receiving treatment. He later became the father figure of the group, setting the direction for "The Trail Youth" on their search for kids with addiction, mental health or homelessness issues.
Sallal Grange housed "Forums on Homeless Youth" since three months ago as organized by the community . That is where brainstorming happens for issues like some kids are too young to avail of food stamps and housing vouchers. The State Department of Social and Health Services offers programs for people needing help under 18-year-old. Many avoid that because the system might send them to foster care or back home if they are runaways.
Harley Christensen, a community outreach worker for "Friends of Youth" takes care of counseling for mental health and substance abuse in the Snoqualmie Valley. He said that they don't have big government funding, but they do have big hearts and willing neighbors volunteering to nurture a homeless child's future. Their camaraderie is nothing like the couple who abandoned their 9year old adopted son by returning him to the orphanage because of aggressive behavior and refusing treatment, according to earlier article here at Jobs & Hire,
