“Homelessness is not a choice, but rather a journey that many find themselves in.” – Asa Don Brown
Out on the field, the two teams competing in any sport are reaching for each other’s throats. They want to assert their dominance and win the prize. Washington State University (WSU) and the University of Washington (UW) have one of the fiercest rivalries in student sports. Yet, off the field, the two universities are joining hands to help homeless youth and their pets. As the two largest universities in the state, it won’t be wrong to say that both institutions should engage in some form of community service…and they have!
WSU and UW are now in partnership with Neighborhood Health and New Horizons Ministries as part of their new community partnership initiative to provide healthcare to young adults battling homelessness in the state. Moreover, since the number of homeless youth with pets is on the rise, their animal friends will receive some care as well. This initiative is called the One Health Clinic, which caters to the needs of humans and their best friends.
It also received contributions from educational partners, including UW Medicine, the College of Veterinary Medicine at WSU, and the School of Public Health at WU. Medical experts uncovered the fact that a majority of the homeless who require healthcare don’t seek help, simply because they have pets to care for. Rather than abandon their pet, they avoid visiting a doctor. The One Health Clinic removes this hurdle and makes it convenient for them to not just take their pets along, but also get quality care for them.
At Sheltering Grace, we believe that the homeless youth is the most vulnerable segment of society. Hence, it’s important that they receive the help and compassion they deserve, which often translates to a beacon of hope for them, enabling them to change their lives for the better.
Sheltering Grace Ministry, Ltd. is a 501(c)3 Ltd. non-profit ministry. We resolve the initial crisis of homelessness by providing mothers with a safe place to live during pregnancy. We also equip them with the tools they need to improve decision-making, enhance employment options, and increase family income to act responsibly as the head of their household. All of our services develop their self-reliance to progress to permanent independent living. Please join us in renewing and rebuilding the lives of these brave women – #Be1of5000.
