Emergency Shelter Replaces Previous Pandemic-Closed Facility
St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle, Washington, has launched a 20-bed shelter for homeless women. The facility, named Donna Jean’s Place, occupies two renovated classrooms in a former school building on cathedral grounds. This initiative, led by nonprofit Operation Nightwatch, replaces Noelle House, a long-standing shelter that closed during the pandemic in 2020.
Local Partnerships Drive Shelter’s Expansion
The cathedral partnered with Operation Nightwatch to address the growing emergency shelter gap. St. Mark’s contributed to a $100,000 renovation of a 2,000-square-foot space. Renovations included showers, toilets, a laundry room, lockers, and medical exam rooms. Previously located in a Catholic church with only 10 beds, Donna Jean’s Place now doubles its capacity in the new location.
Long-Term Homelessness Crisis Fuels Urgent Needs
The Very Rev. Steven Thomason emphasized that emergency housing needs are often overlooked in the push toward permanent solutions. “There was an increasing crisis in the number of emergency shelter beds in the city,” he said. With over 16,000 unhoused individuals in King County, the shelter meets a pressing need.
Shelter Part of National Episcopal Movement
St. Mark’s is part of a broader Episcopal effort to fight homelessness through community-based solutions. Projects include a winter shelter in Kentucky, a tiny home village in Oregon, and multi-unit affordable housing in California and San Diego. These initiatives reflect the church’s growing commitment to addressing the national affordable housing shortage.
Supporters and Detractors Voice Views
Supporters say the shelter offers compassionate, immediate relief and sets a model for other churches. The Rev. Frank DiGirolamo praised the partnership as “a witness to what could happen more often.” Detractors, however, argue these small projects can’t keep pace with the scale of homelessness or replace systemic policy reform. Concerns remain over sustainability and the role of faith-based organizations in public welfare.
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Seattle cathedral helps nonprofit turn former classrooms into homeless shelter for women
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