We Put Housing First
- SideWalk combines intensive volunteerism and community engagement with data-driven, evidence-based methods to end homelessness.
We are a rising star in the local nonprofit community. In the last 6 years SideWalk volunteers assisted over 1200 people to escape the streets and move to private-market housing.
"No other organization has proven so much in such a short period of time. SideWalk is on the right path to help us end homelessness in Thurston County." - Doug Mah, Former Olympia Mayor
Homelessness can be ended for one person for just $350 - total. SideWalk uses a cutting-edge new method - called "rapid rehousing" - that has swept the nation in the last few years.
Rapid rehousing is an approach to resolving homelessness that offers time-limited, small rental subsidies to assist homeless people to quickly move into housing, followed by intensive case management to ensure stability. It's like offering a bottle of water to someone running a marathon - our clients work incredibly hard and we offer a small resource that boosts their success.
The rapid rehousing approach is effective for 80% to 90% of the homeless population. And it is so cost effective - ten times more cost effective than the next best method - that it can be done at large scale.
By combining grass-roots engagement with evidence-driven practices, SideWalk is generating unprecedented results in Thurston County.
Donate by Check
You may also contribute by check. Checks may be made out to "SideWalk". Please mail checks to:
SideWalk
1139 5th Ave SE
Olympia,WA 98501
DONAte Items
The Community Care Center always needs survival gear, hygiene items, and food.
Survival Gear:
- Tarps
- Tents
- Rope
- Sleeping bags (no blankets)
- Sleeping pads
- Long underwear
- Waterproofing sprays
- Razors
- Shaving creams
- Menstrual products
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste (travel size)
Food Items:
We are not equipped to serve meals and do not consistently have plates/bowls. If you would like to bring food please consider:
- Single serve meals: Sandwiches, cup of noodles, single serve soups, etc...
- Single serve snacks: Crackers, granola bars, string cheese, fruit, etc...
- Serving supplies: Paper plate, bowls, and plastic utensils
*It is generally more helpful to receive one or two items in larger quantity than a collection of different items.
WA State Employees
We love state workers! SideWalk's nonprofit ID number for the WA State Employees Combined Fund Drive is: CFD #1481840
Interested in volunteering? Contact us here.