Groundbreaking Today At Faith Family Village In Everett, Washington – 1st Pallet Community In U.S. For Homeless Families With Children

While its taken nearly three years to get here, a vision begun by Everett resident Roxana Boroujerdi and driven by collaboration from faith leaders, the City of Everett, Snohomish County, the Federal Government and numerous volunteers cleared a major step as the groundbreaking for Faith Family Village happened today in central Everett.

Within 45 days, families who have been unhoused will move into eight Pallet Shelters located behind Faith Lutheran Church at 6708 Cady Road in Everett, Washington. Families of up to four people will have a place to sleep in their own beds and store their belongings behind a locked door.

The families will have access to secure bathrooms with showers, food from the Faith Food Bank and help from the Interfaith Family Shelter to transition to permanent housing within ninety days.

“The Pallet Shelter is one hundred square feet and has four beds and is considered as a bedroom, not a house,” said Jim Dean who is the Executive Director of Interfaith Family Shelter. “The lock on the door is a big thing for these families.”

There’s a kitchen on site, play area for the kids and help for families that ranges from mental health and substance use counseling to employment guidance and resume workshops.

A children’s program and learning hour to help children keep up with schoolwork, healthy living and positive family dynamics resources and budget and financial planning help are also offerings found at the Interfaith Family Shelter.

Julie Willie, who is Director of Community Development for the City of Everett told those at the groundbreaking, “We are working so this is not only successful for residents but also the neighborhood.” She added, “The eight families here will be housed with dignity, respect and no judgement.”

One way to get a good idea of how the Faith Family Village came about is to check out this video featuring Roxana Boroujerdi.

It is a family shelter so I asked Jim Dean what was the definition of family. “We consider a family to be an adult and child in a legally covered relationship,” he said. You can click here to learn more about the Interfaith Family Shelter.