VANCOUVER, Wash. - Washington State University alumni and Merrill Contractors will paint the inside walls of the Swift House Oct. 17 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The event is the kick off for "Cougs in the Community," a set of service projects that will give 15,000 WSU alumni between Olympia, Wash. and Eugene, Ore. an opportunity to give back to their communities and stay connected to their alma mater.
The Swift House is owned by Second Step Housing, a local non-profit organization that provides safe, affordable housing for women and children who would otherwise be homeless. Second Step Housing offers a two-year program that allows women and children to stay in group-living homes while they work on goals to achieve self-sufficiency.
Volunteers are still needed. To volunteer to paint at the Swift House or to learn more about the Cougs in the Community projects in your area, contact 360-546-9600 or events@vancouver.wsu.edu .
Swift House is one of 11 transitional houses owned by Second Step in the Vancouver area. The building is home to four women and at least two children at all times.
"These women and families are working hard to end a cycle of poverty and homlessness," said Megan Dixon, Second Step Housing Development Director. "A fresh coat of paint and a nice place to live can give them an added sense of security and boost their self-esteem."
Blue Bird Transportation, a cougar-alumni-owned business, is providing pods for the families to store their belongings in while the cougar work crew paints.
"We are so thankful the community is coming together to support the women and children in our program," Dixon said. "91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø's work and dedication means we will be able to use our organization's money directly on the people in our program instead of paint and housing supplies."
"We are grateful to Mike Merril from Merrill Contractors and Gene Schwendiman owner of Blind Onion Pizza and Pub in Vancouver for partnering with us on this community project," said Jennifer Crooks, 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø Director of Campus and Regional Development. "It is with great pride that we can point to local businesses like Merrill Contractors and Blind Onion Pizza who are reaching out and making a difference to the members of our community. Our Community is stronger because of their generosity."
91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø is celebrating 20 years of bringing quality education, research and service to the citizens of Southwest Washington. The campus is located at 14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave., east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205, or via C-Tran bus service. 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø offers 16 bachelor's degrees, 10 master's degrees, one doctorate degree and more than 36 fields of study. Learn more at
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