Our Beginnings
Camp Hope began in March 2017 in response to critical need expressed by City and County officials to alleviate the challenges of homelessness in downtown Yakima and the greater Yakima Valley. Our City had been experiencing a marked increase in individuals experiencing homelessness and an unsupervised tent encampment had cropped up downtown in an abandoned lot near homes and local businesses. The City and County needed help addressing this issue and the Yakima Valley Council of Governments (YVCOG) awarded the grant that got Camp Hope started.
On March 22, 2017, Camp Hope began as an outdoor, barracks-style encampment for approximately 45 adults with 24-hour security, 3 meals a day brought in by volunteers, a shower trailer, and an education center to teach life skills, literacy, and GED classes.
As the temperature got colder, a search began for an indoor location. On November 15, 2017, the Camp Hope winter weather shelter opened in a warehouse on 1702 Englewood Avenue in Yakima. The location operated as a day-time warming station for many homeless in the community and slept around 100 residents nightly, not only for men and women, but also for families with children.
In 2017, Camp Hope provided 15,388 bed nights and 33,853 meals to 556 unique individuals.
Camp Hope Yakima has returned to our original location at 2300 East Birch Street and currently sleeps an average of 180 people, including single adult males, females and families with children.
More Than a Bed
Camp Hope Yakima meets the basic needs of safety, shelter, clothing, and food so that our residents can more easily access other support services and start to rebuild their lives. As a low-barrier shelter, there are no requirements of religious participation in order to receive services. Residents are accepted regardless of mental health, substance addiction, or criminal history. Pets are also welcome (for specifics please call 509-571-1157). Identification is not required.
Upon admission, all guests must sign a Good Neighbor Agreement outlining expected behavior. No alcohol, or drug use is permitted on-site and residents must adhere to off-site behavioral guidelines to reside in the Camp Hope community (ie. no loitering, panhandling, defacing public property, etc). Violation of guidelines can result in expulsion.
Our Case Managers meet with residents and help them (re)/connect with vital resources to obtain permanent housing, medical/mental health support, substance abuse treatment, or other available community programs.
Every resident is offered up to 3 meals a day, to include sandwiches, cups of soup, or other similar items and dinner which most nights is graciously donated and brought in by local organizations and church and community groups.
Perhaps the most vital component of Camp Hope’s success is the sense of community cultivated by the residents and staff. This is critical to providing the safety, support, and atmosphere of hope so necessary in facing challenges and moving forward in life.
Contact us at: esther.k@camphopeyakima.com for more information about these and other volunteer opportunities!
We are more than just a shelter… we are Camp Hope Yakima.
For shelter info, please call: 509-424-1228
