“You Allowing Us to Have a Stable Home Changed Everything”

Alena Rogers and Raj Kumar's StoryCorps "Finding Our Way" conversation is the latest to air on KUOW. Image by StoryCorps.

Raj Kumar took a chance by renting an apartment to Alena Rogers, a formerly homeless single mother. In their StoryCorps "Finding Our Way" conversation, which airs on KUOW today, Alena tells Raj how having a stable home changed her life. They came together through the Landlord Liaison Project, which provides support for landlords who look beyond standard tenant screening criteria.

“That Night, We Slept Out on the Street”: A Young Refugee’s Story

In the newest StoryCorps "Finding Our Way" interview, Solomon Muche tells his mentor Elizabeth Stein about his family's experience with homelessness. Image credit: StoryCorps.

Since 1984, King County has been the fifth-largest recipient of refugees in the U.S. Many refugees are at risk of homelessness, suffer from loneliness and depression, and face instability. Despite this uphill battle, many refugees, like a remarkable young man whose story is featured on KUOW today, find community support and achieve their dreams.

A Goodbye Post: Taking My Own Advice

Cute kitten waving goodbye. Thanks to http://briff.me/2015/01/02/animals-waving-goodbye/

This is a first for Firesteel. It's a goodbye post. After four amazing years with the YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish and Firesteel, today is Erin Murphy's last day.

Social Media Advocacy: Whose Story Is It Anyway?

Watch on YouTube.com

Social media is in a unique position to advocate for ending homelessness in the information age, and many organizations have begun to use this opportunity. But there’s a right and wrong way to do it. Paige McAdam from the Seattle University Project on Family Homelessness thinks the Mean Tweets video produced by the Canadian organization Raise the Roof is the wrong way. She explains why, and also points to work by Facing Homelessness and other organizations that are advocating effectively in partnership with people who are experiencing homelessness.

Domestic Violence Survivor’s Story Is All Too Common

In a new StoryCorps "Finding Our Way" story that airs on KUOW today, Zaneta Reid talks about experiencing domestic violence and homelessness with her four sons. Image credit: StoryCorps.

In the newest StoryCorps "Finding Our Way" story to hit the KUOW airwaves, a Seattle mom talks about her experiences with domestic violence and homelessness. Our advocacy coordinator invited YWCA advocates who help survivors of domestic violence to listen to the story and share their reflections. Their insights -- like the fact that there are more shelters for dogs than for women in Washington -- may surprise you.

Get the Firesteel Blog in Your Inbox