The Snoqualmie Valley now has a new asset to meet the needs of the community. Reclaim (previously Snoqualmie Valley Shelter Services) recently purchased a building in downtown Snoqualmie to house the area’s first community service center, named The Front Door.
After about 12 years of hard work by many people and led by Executive Director Jennifer Kirk, the dream for more supportive services around housing opportunities is now a reality.
The Front Door is located at 8224 Railroad Ave. SE, Snoqualmie, and is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. They are closed on weekends. This facility will bring stability, opportunity, and connection to those experiencing homelessness as well as those struggling to remain housed.
Reclaim held their grand opening on June 29, called their “Fundwarming.” There were four opportunities to tour the new facility and to hear about their history, their current plans and their needs for the future. Toward the end of 2022, they developed a new strategic plan that included the Upper Valley’s first community service center. It also included a portion of the mission to assist those struggling to remain housed.
The facility has two bright and welcoming floors. The room immediately to your left upon entering has free clothing availability in their Threads of Kindness Clothing Boutique. There is a family room and a reception area.
On your right are case management rooms and a client appointment waiting area. There is also a donation processing room, with plans to build out laundry facilities during a remodel in 2026.
Upstairs are two severe weather rooms and shelter registration, along with administrative offices. There is nicely placed art with bright walls to enhance the atmosphere. The sleeping rooms are cozy and have some murals on the wall. Then there is a kitchen and conference area.
If you missed the grand opening, you missed some mighty grand snacks and treats. Reclaim’s open house event was sponsored by Woodinville Printing, Front Row Graphics, Navidi Realty, Eastside Property Solutions, Frankie’s Pizza, Spacelabs Healthcare and Arbor Eyecare.
Reclaim continues to provide robust services to those experiencing homelessness, including a year-round motel-based shelter program. Through funding from the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, Reclaim shelters anywhere from 40-50 individuals per night through this program. This includes single adults, couples, and families with children. Reclaim also provides severe weather sheltering at their new facility during times of extreme cold, heat and smoke.
The goal of Reclaim’s new center, The Front Door, is to provide a warm, safe, inviting, supportive environment for anyone in our community living in poverty. While Reclaim will continue providing shelter and support to those currently unhoused, they are also pivoting a portion of their agency to focus specifically on keeping folks housed. Their goal is to assist in a timely way to reduce the number of people entering homelessness.
Through a Department of Justice three-year grant totaling approximately $1 million, the Snoqualmie Tribe will be partnering with Reclaim and Trail Youth in providing prevention services, in-depth support and transitional housing to people fleeing domestic violence, stalking, and sex trafficking — with a strong focus on serving Native American females.
The purchase of their new building marks a significant milestone in Reclaim’s history. Previous capital funding awards from both the state and county, totaling approximately $400,000, were applied to this purchase, significantly reducing the amount of additional funding needed to complete the purchase.
During their open house event, Reclaim thanked many of those who made their recent purchase possible. This included Joanne LaTuchie and Ginger Segel from GS Consulting, Jennifer Peterson from WAFD Bank, State Sen. Mark Mullet, State Rep. Lisa Callan, Former King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert, State Rep. Bill Ramos, Alicia Messa from The Messa Group, Jonathan Pearlstein from Engel and Volkers, Paul Okner from Fremont Law Group, Laroy Gant from Gant Nychay Architects, Rand Redlin from Centerra Alliance, Amy Evans from Washington State Department of Commerce, Tina Ilvonen from King County DCHS, and Angel Ratliff and Jeanelyn Quinta from Washington Community Reinvestment Association.
Reclaim’s board chair Don Scaramastra and executive director Jennifer Kirk expressed deep gratitude to their staff, volunteers, supporters, and community members. They shared the need for even more support and involvement from our community. Reclaim’s board currently has six members, and they are looking for new members who have a passion for helping our poverty-stricken neighbors.
Senator Mark Mullet said: “As chair of the State Capitol Budget Committee, I love to find ways to support local nonprofits that do a great job of delivering local services.”
If you know someone in need, please have them call 425-389-7114.
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Kathy Lambert is a former member of the King County Council who represented the Snoqualmie Valley area.
