Olympia homeless shelter may close due to lack of funding

A homeless shelter in Olympia may have to shut down by Friday unless it can raise $50,000.

Community Youth Services serves young adults between the ages of 18 and 24.  For the last few months, every single bed in the shelter has been filled.

The shelter has been a lifeline to hundreds in the community, including Koly Harrison.  "They helped change my life, they help change other people's lives every single day.  Honestly that's really what everyone needs is family," said Harrison.

The shelter gets the majority of its funding from grants, but officials say it isn't enough to cover increased demand.

 

If the agency can't find any additional funding, the shelter will close this Friday with plans to reopen in September.  People will still be able to receive food, clothes and counseling services during that time.