“We’re not just pointing someone in the right direction of the appropriate resource, we’re checking in with them if they need someone to call with them or help them complete application forms,” shares Carolina. Carolina is MSC’s Community Access Coordinator. MSC created this role in April of 2021 to help people access and navigate services [...]
Multi-Service Center has been a part of Jenny Hulse’s life for so long that when asked how she was first introduced to MSC, it was difficult for her to pinpoint an exact time. “It might have been through a diaper drive at my kids’ elementary school years ago.” Shortly after, Jenny began bringing fresh produce [...]
“My younger brother and I had moved across the country to live with our aunt in Federal Way in the nineties,” shares Shannel. “In that year, my aunt’s household went from one adult and two children to two adults and five children, surviving on one adult’s working-class income.” Shannel remembers her first visit to MSC [...]
“As teenagers, we never thought we’d be where we are at now,” shares Elia. Elia, now age 26, was born in Greeley, Colorado, after her parents had moved there from Mexico. Elia recalls Greeley being a mostly Spanish-speaking community. When her family moved to Kent in 2002, it was quite a change for them. “We [...]
“It makes me feel good to do something,” shares Eric. Eric has been volunteering at MSC’s William J. Wood Veteran House (WJW) for the last two years. After college, Eric joined the U.S. Army. Stationed at Ft. Lewis for most of the time, he was in military intelligence and his last assignment was at University [...]
“I started using drugs at 11 years old,” shares Linda. Linda is now 58 years old with three grown children. In 2007 and just out of rehab, Linda moved into Titusville in Kent, MSC’s housing for women in recovery. Linda lived there for about a year. “It was hard. I had to focus with [...]
“It was really the lack of access to services,” shares Elizabeth (Liz) Johnson when asked how the Multi-Service Center came to be. In 1971, Liz was the Lead Head Start teacher in Federal Way and had three young children. Her husband, Preston, was just a year out of law school, having attended on the GI [...]
“We weren’t millionaires by any means, but we were doing fine. COVID hit and my life changed,” shares Sara. Prior to the pandemic, Sara worked as a bartender four nights a week. She made a good living and was able to pay all her bills and build up her savings. Bartending gave her the flexibility [...]
“COVID19 has really taken a toll on me emotionally,” shares Ericka. Ericka was homeless for a year before she moved into her current apartment three years ago. In recovery for over twenty years, and dealing with multiple health issues, Ericka has been unable to work and is dependent on Social Security Disability. “I’ve wanted to [...]
“I joined the board because I realized my voice could be a voice for vulnerable people, those that we serve,” shares MSC Board Member Teleda Holmes. Teleda has served on MSC’s Board of Directors since 2010. Her first experience with MSC was as a client. In 1998, Teleda earned her GED through MSC, and then [...]
