Here is a picture of the bags full of items the youth purchased
Once all the shopping was done the youth picked up their detour challenge which took them to the Freemont Troll where they were to take a silly picture
Team Genesis
Team Neon Yellow Flying Monkeys
Team Holy Crosses
Once the detour was completed they were off to the pit stop at the original Starbuck's in Pike Place Market. Team Holy Crosses came in first. Followed by team Genesis and Neon Yellow Flying Monkeys.
Everyone explored Pike Place for a couple hours before we went to Youthcare to drop off the items that had been purchased earlier in the day. Youthcare was not expecting us and were so happily surprised by our arrival. All these people kept coming out from the back looking at the items we were bringing and questioning why we had decided to donate the items. It was really cool. They just seemed so shocked by our donation. Eventually Debra an employee of Youthcare came out and did an impromptu presentation on what Youthcare does and who they serve.
Youthcare we found out was a large organization that has many different services for homeless teens and young adults. They run an adolescent shelter which is the only one in the area for youth under 18. They also run the Orion Center which offers three meals a day and helps out homeless youth through education and work training. They have programs to help youth get their GEDs and high school diplomas as well as apply for college. The work training programs range from barista training to actual internships with Habitat for Humanity to learn a construction trade. They run numerous shelters for young adults as well. Youthcare is a fantastic organization that is doing so much for homeless youth. Debra also told us that every night in Seattle it is estimated that 700-1000 youth are on the streets. This is a huge problem that is rarely even talked about and most people don't even know about. She also said the main factor in adult chronic homelessness is having been homeless as a youth. She said that 97% of youth who receive services the first time they become homeless they will not be homeless as an adult. We were all so shocked by this statistic and realized how much of an impact Youthcare is having on the problem of homelessness.
We spent the evening canoeing in Lake Washington. It was a great way to end the day. The weather was perfect and the lake was so calm and beautiful.
I think everyone would agree today was another day full of God's amazing grace.
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