Yesterday had a chance to check out the open house at the Carnegie Building next door to the Snohomish County Jail in downtown Everett. The building was constructed in 1904 and served as the Everett Public Library until 1934. Now it serves again as a place for anyone who is in need of services related to homelessness or addiction. Here’s more.
The building was constructed in 1904 as a library and went on to serve as a funeral home, County Executive’s Office and had sat empty for many years. Photo credit: Snohomish County
“The Carnegie Center is now open as a gateway to a new start,” said Dave Somers, Snohomish County Executive. “As we tackle the complex challenges of homelessness and addiction, the Carnegie Center will be an additional asset to help us improve public safety and relieve human suffering. By providing a one-stop-shop, we can use all available services to guide those first important steps toward a better future. We appreciate the support of our legislative delegation, Governor Inslee, and all those who helped make this a reality, in particular our county staff who have labored over this important project.”
Snohomish County renovated the historic Carnegie building to create a resource center serving the community. All services at the Carnegie are coordinated by Pioneer Human Services and partner agencies including Catholic Community Services, Volunteers of America Western Washington, Community Health Centers of Snohomish County, Center for Human Services, Refugee and Immigrant Services Northwest, Goodwill Industries, Housing Hope, DSHS, and Workforce Snohomish. Snohomish County’s Department of Human Services funds the CRC through the Chemical Dependency and Mental Health Sales Tax.
Karen Lee, CEO of Pioneer Human Services stated, “Individuals in need of multiple services now don’t need to travel to multiple locations to try to get help. We are so thrilled to operate this resource center that pulls together many vital resources under one roof and we are very grateful for our partner agencies working with us to serve those in need.”
Snohomish County and Pioneer Human Services are working together to fully engage the community and assist those in need of supportive services. The Carnegie Resource Center will be a beacon of hope for the Snohomish community and a model for partnership.
“Building off the success of our outreach teams contacting those in need and the Diversion Center helping with rapid housing, we are poised to make great progress with the wrap-around services provided by the Carnegie Center,” said Snohomish County Council Chair Stephanie Wright. “We are grateful to all those who’ve worked on this project, and know that countless lives will be turned around with the help they receive at Carnegie.”
The Carnegie Resource Center offers a one-stop location where individuals can engage with several specialized service providers to get assistance and referrals into programs. Services will be adapted to meet the needs of each local resident, and the center is targeted to serve veterans, individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, and people suffering from substance use and/or mental health disorders. Individuals seeking services can participate in behavioral health services, employment and job readiness programs, health insurance enrollment, public benefits applications, and many other services.
About Pioneer Human Services
Pioneer provides counseling and treatment, housing and employment services to justice-involved individuals. The organization started as one halfway house in Seattle in 1963 and now provides services in over 50 locations across Washington state.
As a social enterprise, Pioneer also operates a diverse line of businesses to provide on-the-job training and work experience, while generating revenue to help fund its social mission. In 2017, 63 percent of Pioneer’s enterprise workforce had a criminal history or was in recovery. Learn more at:
www.PioneerHumanServices.org
About Snohomish County Human Services Department
The Snohomish County Human Services Department helps all persons meet their basic needs and develop their potential by providing timely, effective human services and building community. Learn more here.
December 21, 2018
Everett