FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Proceeds from this year's SLU Block Party and Cinema on the Lawn will benefit YouthCare and FareStart. These two nonprofit organizations both provide vital community services in Seattle, and they also have a unique partnership with each other that emphasizes collaboration and synergy that South Lake Union itself illustrates.
YouthCare builds confidence and self-sufficiency for homeless youth by providing a continuum of care that includes outreach, basic services, emergency shelter, housing, counseling, education, and employment training. Named this year's James Beard Foundation Humanitarian Award winner, FareStart is a culinary job training and placement program that empowers homeless and disadvantaged individuals while creating nourishing food. In addition to the food preparation training, FareStart also provides job placement assistance, help finding housing if the student is not already staying at a homeless shelter, and continues working with the students after they start their new job to help them keep it.
The FareStart Café in the Rainier Valley serves as on-the-job training site for youth enrolled in the Barista Training and Education Program, a collaborative effort between YouthCare and FareStart.