Today in Eugene, hundreds packed a new housing facility for homeless teen girls. KLCC’s Brian Bull reports.
The St. Vincent de Paul Youth House is a newly-renovated space, in what used to be the Cascade-Presbyterian Church. Nearly $2 million was raised for the project, which has 14 apartments and a counseling office.
Terry McDonald is Executive Director of St. Vinnie’s, which worked with city governments and non-profit agencies on the Youth House. In a standing-room only crowd celebrating its completion, he says it’ll help struggling homeless teens finish school and find jobs.
“How else can you better serve somebody than to find a place for them to live? That’s safe and decent, and of course, a place that they can get mentoring to get on with their lives," McDonald tells KLCC.
"So it really serves as a bridge from a difficult past to a hopeful future.”
A facility for homeless boys starts construction later this year in the Bethel area.
At least 400 homeless teens are enrolled in Eugene, Springfield, and Bethel schools.
Copyright 2018, KLCC.