Women's History Month Highlight - The Sophia Way
For many women experiencing homelessness in our community, the path to stability is filled with challenges. At The Sophia Way, we walk alongside women during some of the hardest moments of their lives, helping them move from homelessness to a place to call home.
Since 2008, The Sophia Way has been a place of hope for women. We are the only organization on the Eastside dedicated solely to supporting individuals who identify as women, offering not just shelter, but a space to heal, recover, and take steps toward a better future.
Our shelters are places of warmth, nourishment, and safety, where women can access the services and resources they need. With the compassionate guidance of our case managers, women receive personalized support that nurtures their physical, mental, and financial well-being, empowering them to regain stability and independence. At the core of our mission are three essential pillars: Shelter, Safety, and Stability. These guide everything we do, ensuring that each woman receives the support she needs to move forward with dignity and hope.
Jasmine’s Journey Home: For Jasmine, 42, her car had become her home. For more than a year, she lived in her vehicle at a safe parking program in Kirkland, enduring long, cold nights, constant uncertainty, and daily struggles. One day, she reached out to our Vehicle Outreach Coordinator who supports the safe parking program with case management. Our coordinator met her with warmth and understanding, simply asking, "What do you need?" Jasmine shared that she had lost her job unexpectedly, and without savings or a steady income, she could no longer afford rent. Left with no other options, she began living in her car. With empathy and care, our coordinator connected her to critical support resources — food banks, healthcare, job training, and housing support. When Jasmine felt overwhelmed, our staff was there to offer encouragement. When she doubted herself, they reminded her of her strength. Gradually, Jasmine rebuilt her life. She found a job, began saving money, and took her first steps toward stability. With ongoing support, she explored housing options and finally found a place she could afford. Jasmine is no longer living in her car; she has a home and she couldn’t be happier!
Stories like Jasmine’s highlight the power of compassionate, personalized support. Our case managers use trauma-informed practices to help women heal, build resilience, and gain the tools they need to maintain safe, stable housing. In a recent client satisfaction survey, women reported an average 90% confidence level in their ability to secure housing - a testament to the life-changing impact of this work.
None of this would be possible without the kindness of our community. From financial gifts that keep our shelters safe and welcoming, to volunteers who prepare home-cooked meals and donate essential items, our supporters help women feel seen, valued, and cared for. We are deeply grateful for this generosity. If you’d like to be part of this journey and make a difference in the lives of women, visit https://sophiaway.org to learn how you can get involved.