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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Hope House offers emergency shelter to single women

Name of program: Hope House, 111 W. Third Ave.

What it does: Rusty Barnett, the program director of Hope House, said it provides emergency shelter for single women 18 and older. It is the only shelter for single women in Spokane County and does not accept children. Most shelters in the area prioritize families.

Hope House is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.

The program also helps place women in permanent housing and helps them get furniture and other household items.

Who runs it: Volunteers of America.

How to get help: Women who stop by the shelter get help based upon what they need. They don’t need identification, and they don’t need a referral.

They can call the shelter at 455-2886.

“They’re homeless, and they need a place to sleep,” said Barnett.

Typical client: Barnett said that many of the women she sees are in need of a variety of services.

Often, it’s obvious that a woman has a chemical dependency or an alcohol problem upon arrival, but if she has been abused or has mental health issues, that might not come up until the woman has started counseling sessions.

“Our typical client is a woman who is homeless and seeking shelter,” she said. “They come in all shapes and sizes.”

How to help: “We always take donations and volunteers,” said Barnett.

Many of the women moving into permanent housing need small items of furniture, cleaning supplies, food, clothing, hygiene products and clean bedding, to name a few.

The house also provides every woman who seeks help with clean pajamas, so they are in need of those as well.

Anyone wishing to volunteer should call Margaret Davis, the case manager and volunteer coordinator at the shelter.