The Renton Ecumenical Association of Churches (REACH) was granted nearly $94,000 from United Way and the City of Seattle to expand the winter shelter at Harambee center to a year-round shelter.

The shelter has been renamed the extended overnight shelter because of the grant. It was originally an emergency severe weather and winter shelter that typically saw 45 to 50 people on a nightly basis.

The Harambee shelter is unique because the shelter puts up families. Families include single moms and dads with kids and there are even a few spaces for single women.

This past January, the plan was to keep the shelter open for three months, until REACH staff discovered the grant and applied.

REACH was able to get donor support to stay open in April and then received news about their grant award at the end of April.

“Oh, I think it’s wonderful,” said Rev. Dr. Linda Smith, REACH Center of Hope director.

Families come from all over South King County, Smith said, as the shelter is one of few in the area. It was good news when staff heard about the award because Smith said she didn’t want to have to turn at least 15 families back out to the street.

“There are some women-only shelters; there’s the ARISE program, but other than that families in the past in South King County didn’t have a place to go,” Smith said.

Guests of the shelter have access to the REACH Center of Hope’s day shelter for showers and breakfast and lunch. They utilize the Renton Meal Coalition and the Renton Salvation Army for dinner.

Since the extended overnight shelter has been open, five families have found jobs and six families are expected to move into long-term housing within the next couple of weeks, said Smith.

“And I think that’s all because they’ve been stable and they’ve gotten the kids back in school and they have a stable and safe community and a place to lay their head at night,” she said.