For the Reporter<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n An enthusiastic, generous audience raised more than $69,000 in donations and monthly pledges last Saturday for KentHOPE at the organization\u2019s benefit dinner at the New Beginnings Christian Fellowship.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Pat Gray, KentHOPE executive board chair, thanked staff and volunteers, community groups, businesses and churches for their support of KentHOPE, a nonprofit organization committed to ending homelessness in the community.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n At the dinner, Gray highlighted the success of KentHOPE’s programs. A total of 224 women has found housing since the Women and Children’s Day Center opened in December 2013. The 1,400-square-foot center is overcrowded, Gray said, and the group has begun pursuing a new location.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n A Kent site has been identified to build a 24\/7 day center and overnight shelter that will house women and children while they receive case management and resources for housing, Gray said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n As guest speaker, Kent School District Superintendent Calvin Watts shared that 200 homeless students were identified in the district within the first 10 weeks of the school year. That number is expected to double by the end of the school year, Watts said, and he challenged the community to work together and provide services and resources for those in need.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Jeff Lilley, Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission president, wrapped up the evening by sharing that 57 homeless people have died in King County so far this year. He urged the community to take a stand to help the helpless.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n