New showers are part of the expanded services at the Community Engagement Center in downtown Kent to serve the homeless. COURTESY PHOTO, Catholic Community Services

New showers are part of the expanded services at the Community Engagement Center in downtown Kent to serve the homeless. COURTESY PHOTO, Catholic Community Services

Kent’s Community Engagement Center expands services

Help for the homeless at downtown site

Catholic Community Services of Western Washington displayed expanded services at its Community Engagement Center in downtown Kent during a recent open house.

Crews installed showers, laundry services and a kitchenette with a partnership of MultiCare Community Partnership Fund, the Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound and the help of SMR Architects, the Connections Advisory Group and Pioneer Human Services.

The center, 1229 W. Smith St., opened in November 2015 to provide a safe and welcoming environment for people experiencing homelessness or on the verge of losing their housing.

Service providers such as HealthPoint, Valley Cities Counseling, CCS Shelter Staff, King County Mobile Medical Van and Sound Mental Health are consistently onsite to either connect with clients or introduce themselves to those in need.

The center is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, with additional funding support from the city of Kent and King County.

Kent Mayor Dana Ralph and King County Councilman Dave Upthegrove were part of the tour at the June 21 open house.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

People listen to details about the expanded services during an open house in June at the Community Engagement Center in downtown Kent to serve the homeless. COURTESY PHOTO, Catholic Community Services

People listen to details about the expanded services during an open house in June at the Community Engagement Center in downtown Kent to serve the homeless. COURTESY PHOTO, Catholic Community Services

More in News

Courtesy Photo, King County
Son accused of fatally shooting mother’s boyfriend in Kent back in jail

Dondre Butler has 3 violations in 13 months of electronic home detention after charged with murder in 2022

t
Kent Police targeted street patrols result in arrest of two felons

One driver spotted in a vehicle with no plates; another driver reportedly in a stolen vehicle

t
Kent cold case murder suspect back in state after governor’s warrant | Update

Kenneth Kundert fought extradition from Arkansas after August arrest in 1980 killing of Dorothy Silzel

t
City of Kent eyes November opening for Reith Road roundabouts

Two more roundabouts will bring total in city to six; three more in future plans

t
Kent-based Puget Sound Fire honors this year’s 20 retirees

17 firefighters and 3 staff members retire; firefighters served between 24 and 35 years

t
Pedestrian dies in Kent after being struck by a vehicle | Update

Des Moines man, 61, identified; reportedly tried crossing highway late at night but wasn’t in a crosswalk

t
‘Drivers going too fast’ led to 45-vehicle collision in Kent on I-5

State Patrol says drivers need to ‘slow down;’ nobody seriously injured in Sunday afternoon incident

T
Sound Transit to feature glass art in Kent at Star Lake Station

Part of agency’s light rail art program at two stations in Kent and one in Federal Way

Emergency vehicles respond Oct. 21 to the State Route 18 crash in Maple Valley that killed a Kent baby. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Federal Way man faces vehicular homicide charge in death of Kent baby

19-year-old also charged with vehicular assault for injuring boy’s mother in SR 18 crash

t
Kent mother arrested after reportedly driving drunk with baby in vehicle

22-month-old baby uninjured after witnesses report woman asleep at the wheel and blocking traffic

Puget Sound Fire, King County Medic One, and Washington State Patrol on location of the accident. Photo from Puget Sound Fire X account
Baby dies in crash on SR 18

Incident occurred at about 2:58 p.m. Oct. 21.

t
Kent Police Blotter: Oct. 7-22

Incidents include robberies, dog attack, shots fired