stories & quotes

Jubilee Resident named Volunteer of the Year

at The Center for Wooden Boats

Kirsten moved into Jubilee in June of 2008 after being homeless for five years. Her care manager encouraged her to look for a volunteer opportunity in the community, as she was unable to work.

A fellow Jubilee resident showed her an article about The Center for Wooden Boats, a nonprofit organization with locations on Lake Union and Camano Island that provides hands-on maritime experiences using a fleet of historic wooden boats. Kirsten had fond memories of sailing with her daughter years ago, so she jumped at the opportunity!

"I like that it is an active learning environment and I get to work with people volunteering their teaching skills," said Kirsten. "I was excited to learn to sail and I'm constantly improving my skills!"

Less than two year later, on March 26, Kirsten was awarded Volunteer of the Year at The Center for Wooden Boats. Her volunteer supervisor, Kim Lorio, said that Kirsten was honored for her countless hours of participation in volunteer opportunities across the board from livery, to cutting toy boat hulls, to making auction phone calls, to handing out visitor surveys, to helping at events; and for her gung-ho attitude in approaching any and all volunteer tasks. Her once-estranged son even attended the banquet event. "I felt validated, and a bit like a celebrity!" says Kirsten.

Congratulations to Kirsten for finding a passion while also making a valuable contribution to our community!

_{Photos by Bryn Photography}

Resident Reflections: 2 years After the Renovation

It has been two years since we completed the major renovation of our facilities, which turned a 1950's convent into a warm, inviting and dignified home for homeless women. From donated furniture, landscaping and marble counter tops - down to the spatulas in the kitchen - we couldn't have done it without the community's support! Because residents can stay at Jubilee for up to two years, many of the first residents to live at Jubilee after the renovation are moving out and into stable, permanent housing. We wanted to share with you a little bit about their experiences at Jubilee, and the personal successes they've achieved through a helping hand in a time when they needed it most.

"I didn't have any sense of purpose when I first came - I knew I had to change my life but wasn't sure how to do it. Under the guidance of [Care Manager] Mo Whalen, I came to know the things I needed to work on. I am now in my own apartment and going back to school to be a social worker. Now I am doing instead of wishing. I want to say thank you to the sisters who had the vision of what to do with an empty convent."

Thank you, J

"I was very blessed to be a part of Jubilee. For the first time in my life ever, I was able to finally let the wall down that I had put up for too long to find out who I really was. I learned I did not have to put up with abuse and if I put my mind to something I could accomplish anything. Jubilee was a very warm and strong place to be. The staff at Jubilee helped me to have confidence in myself and get on the right road again. When I left I had the tools in my belt to get things done I had to do. With all the classes that were available I learned how to deal with my emotions better and how to do Word on computers. I learned at Jubilee that I AM AND I CAN. I am forever grateful to have walked through the doors of Jubilee. That is where I started my new life and journey."

Forever grateful, S

"Jubilee was a place where I could breathe again and get back on my feet. After a domestic violence incident, I found myself homeless. All of the people in my life who I went to college with or were in the sorority with were not there for me when I needed them. Not even my own family. Thank God for Jubilee! I found a new family and women who really cared. Now I know what it means to have and be a friend during a time of need. You don't turn your back on people...I found out when I was homeless and looking for a place to live that there was more shelter for animals than single women. I was shocked.

Jubilee gave me the time to learn new life skills. I updated my computer skills, took classes on creating boundaries and how to live my dream life. We all took a self defense class. Cooking on a budget was one of my favorites. We would have free haircuts from a local hair salon which made all of us feel wonderful and I was able to go back to school and get retrained in Hospital Administration. Thanks to Jubilee, I am living on my own in a one bedroom apartment with a beautiful view of Seattle and interning at a local trauma hospital. I cannot thank them enough for helping me get back on my feet again."

K