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

Mt Spokane High School senior tries to raise awareness of homeless humanity

Mt.Spokane High School senior Michelle McDonald talks about Project Hope, a student run program that serves and raises money for Spokane's homeless and for the Union Gospel Mission. She is the founder and director. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)

You see them with cardboard signs on street corners in Spokane, or lined up for a meal at a downtown shelter, and may not give them another thought. But an encounter with a homeless man in San Francisco forever changed Michelle McDonald’s view of this vulnerable population and motivated her to do something to help.

“When I was a sophomore I went on a mission’s trip to San Francisco,” she recalled. “I met a man in a soup kitchen with a hole in his jaw that exposed his teeth and gums, and I had a conversation with him. It turns out he was from Seattle! I discovered he was a person who had a life beyond his appearance and homelessness.”

She wanted other teens to experience this kind of awareness, but said she realized teens who aren’t involved in a church or youth group likely wouldn’t have the opportunity.

So, last year, McDonald launched Project HOPE (Homeless Outreach Program and Empowerment) at Mt. Spokane High School.

Since that time the club has nearly doubled in size, with anywhere from 20 to 40 teens actively participating in outreach events and fundraising. Twice a month they go on outings to area homeless organizations, serving food and helping out where needed.

When McDonald learned $5,000 would sponsor a room at the new Union Gospel Mission Crisis Shelter for Women and Children, she rallied her troops.

They raised a large portion of the money from an overnight campout at the school. The teens stayed in tents and raised funds for every hour they spent outdoors.

“It was in November and freezing cold,” said McDonald.

In the end, their various fundraising campaigns netted $7,000. A plaque on the door at the Crisis Shelter bears Mt. Spokane Project Hope’s name.

“There’s no particular qualifications you need to help people,” she said. “If you have a passion to help others, just go for it. The rest will fall into place.”

Melissa Allen, Mt. Spokane counselor, said, “Michelle has caused a lot of students in our community to be aware of the homeless here in Spokane. She’s really about making the world a better place and leaving a positive impact.”

David Whitehead, business and marketing teacher, agreed.

“Michelle is an outstanding student,” he said. “She works extremely hard and always puts her best foot forward. I haven’t had a student like her in a long time. To watch her caring for other people is remarkable.”

Part of that caring is ensuring Project HOPE continues after she graduates. McDonald is developing a leadership team to take over in her absence.

“I started the club because I wanted more kids to have the experience I did – to break stereotypes and stop judging,” said McDonald. “Plus having an army of teens reach out to the homeless community is not a bad thing.”

Her efforts haven’t gone unnoticed in the city. She recently received a Chase Youth Award.

McDonald will attend Western Washington University this fall. She feels the school will be a good fit for her because they have a homeless outreach organization.

“They even have their own hashtag,” she said. “I’ll be able to find my people.”

But first, another mission’s trip is in the works for her. This summer she’ll travel to Mexico to work with the homeless and serve in an orphanage.

“You don’t see many kids her age that are concerned with their community and making others’ lives better,” said Allen. “Michelle has definitely made Mt. Spokane a better place.”