about

VISION

Everyone has a safe place to call home.

MISSION

ROOTS Young Adult Shelter partners with
young adults on their journey to stability.

VALUES

Equity
We are committed to leading our work through an anti-racist lens and addressing other forms of systemic oppression.
Community
Relationships and collaboration are vital components of everything we do— we are stronger together.
Accessibility
Our welcoming environment meets guests as they are by removing barriers to resources and opportunities.
Housing-Focused
Housing is a human right, and we recognize that housing is the first step to stability.
Dignity
Our humanity, safety, and wellbeing are bound together. We partner with young adults to foster dignified experiencing by centering guests’ voices and priorities.

Our History

ROOTS was founded in 1999 under the name Rising Out of the Shadows.

The name came from early volunteers and young adults who wanted a shelter where young people could step out of the shadows of the city and into visibility, safety, and belonging. When the phrase naturally formed the acronym ROOTS, it resonated immediately. It reflected a deeper intention. To create a place where young people could find stability and begin putting down roots in their own lives.

From the beginning, ROOTS was Seattle’s first overnight shelter created specifically for young adults ages 18 to 25. The vision was simple. Every young person deserves safety, community, and dignity. ROOTS opened its doors with the belief that a shelter could be more than a place to sleep. It could be a place to heal, connect, and build a future.

Over the years, ROOTS grew into one of the largest providers of young adult shelter in King County.

More than 400,000 nights of shelter have been provided since we began this work.

2017

2018

June 2021

2022

March 2022

Today

In 2017, ROOTS added onsite case management, leading to significant increases in exits to stable housing and expanding long-term support for young adults.

In 2018, ROOTS lost its home of nearly twenty years when the building was sold for redevelopment. After a long search, a community member stepped forward with an extraordinary offer to sell ROOTS their former fraternity house in the University District’s Greek Row. ROOTS purchased the 18,000 square foot building in 2019.

In June 2021, ROOTS transitioned to a staffing model centered on full-time employment. This shift created a more equitable and sustainable workplace and strengthened the stability and expertise provided within the shelter.

In 2022, ROOTS and Miller Hull began planning the next phase of renovations that will support 24-hour programming, a housing stabilization program, and expanded wraparound services. ROOTS is currently engaged in a capital campaign to bring this vision to life.

With support from the City of Seattle, pro bono architectural work from Miller Hull, and development management from the Low-Income Housing Institute, ROOTS completed its initial renovations and moved into the new space on March 15th, 2022.

Today, ROOTS provides 45 nightly beds for young adults ages 18-25. What began as Rising Out of the Shadows has grown into a community anchor where young people are welcomed, supported, and seen.

Understanding Young Adult Homelessness

Our staff