ROOTS Young Adult Shelter

09/28/2026

We have an urgent need this fall for warm clothes!

Have you noticed the nights getting longer and the weather getting colder? The seasons are definitely changing! Along with that we need blankets, warm layers, and (especially) weatherproof coats and jackets to help our guests navigate the colder months. There are three ways you can help with this!

HOST A CLOTHING DRIVE. Do you live in a large apartment complex or work for a business with a lot of foot traffic? Do you know about an upcoming clothing swap? Hosting a clothing drive in your lobby is a great way to build community, spread awareness about Roots, and meet a felt need. Please let us know if you would like to organize a larger event.

BRING IN DONATIONS. You can always drop off donations to our doorstep, now in Capitol Hill. If you have new or gently used clothing to donate, please let us know in advance and we’ll meet you at the door. Just email us!

BUY OFF OUR WISH LIST. Items purchased off our Amazon wish list will be delivered directly to shelter. This is a quick and easy way to meet some of our on-going needs. We keep this list seasonally up to date.

09/21/2026

We have an urgent need this week for socks! We obviously need socks all year long, but especially as the weather gets colder and wetter, clean and dry socks are important for keeping our community warm and safe.

You can find some bulk packs of socks on our Amazon wish list (handy because they will ship directly to us) or you can coordinate with our staff to drop off socks at the shelter.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/111NYCGYPCR8U?ref_=wl_fv_le

09/19/2026

We want you back!

Did you come to Rise Up last year? We want to see you again this fall for a night of fun and festive celebration. We're hard at work making sure that Rise Up 2026 will be a night you won't forget.

Register now on our website or at: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/rootsriseupcarnival

09/16/2026

Step right up and get your tickets now for ROOTS Rise Up Carnival on November 5th, 6–9 PM at Block 41!

Have you ever had too many good things at once? We had to push this event from this week to later in the fall because of our recent shelter move. But we're excited for you to join us in November!

Come one, come all and witness a night of community, celebration, and daring feats of balance, all in support of young adults finding their footing after experiencing homelessness. Because rising up takes more than nerve — it takes a whole community steadying the ground beneath you.

One night. One cause worth showing up for.

Register now: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/rootsriseupcarnival

09/14/2026

Come volunteer at Roots!

We are looking for more volunteers as we head into the fall.

Volunteers support daily shelter operations while also building community and offering consistent, compassionate presence to young adults experiencing homelessness.

Volunteers are essential to ROOTS. Whether serving a meal, helping set up our space, or simply sitting and talking with a guest, volunteers play a critical role in creating stability, dignity, and belonging.

Visit our website to get started with the volunteer process!

https://rootsinfo.org/get-involved/

09/12/2026

With our move and the coming change in seasons, we have some in-kind needs to share with you. We could really use new pillows for guests, and with the weather cooling off blankets and other items to help guests stay warm. We've updated our Amazon wish list for easy purchasing and inspiration. Link in the comments.

If you are on a team or have a business that could host a clothing or hygiene drive, we'd also love to talk with you. Reach out to Development Director Jonathan at [email protected].

09/02/2026

We're in!

Over the last week, dozens of staff, movers and volunteers worked together through all hours of the day and night to move shelter operations from our home in the U District to a temporary location on Capitol Hill. Incredibly, because of their work, we didn't miss a single night of service during the move!

While there will be a lot of adjusting and adapting to a temporary location that is very different from our home, moving out allows the remodel our our permanent shelter to move forward at a more rapid pace.

If you'd like to know more about the new location, reach out to our new Development Director Jonathan at [email protected].

If you'd like to help us get settled into the new place with supplies for the fall and winter, you can donate via our website or purchase items off our Amazon wishlist. Links below in the comments.

08/21/2026

📦 ROOTS IS MOVING ON AUGUST 29TH, AND WE NEED YOUR HELP! 🏠

We are getting ready for the final stage of our remodel, which means ROOTS is temporarily moving our shelter while construction is completed.

But there is one very important catch: we have just 12 hours to move an entire shelter.

Throughout this process, we have been committed to making sure our young adult guests continue to have a safe place to sleep every single night. We do not want to close for moving day or interrupt shelter services. So, when our guests leave in the morning, the clock starts!

We need volunteers to help us pack, move supplies, disassemble bunk beds, transport everything to our temporary location, reassemble our beds, and get the new space ready to welcome our guests that same evening. This is a BIG move and an exciting milestone for ROOTS. It brings us one step closer to completing a remodel that will transform the services and spaces available to young adults experiencing homelessness.

We cannot do it without our community. ❤️

Come help us move ROOTS

https://dash.pointapp.org/events/743964

Can’t join us that day? Sharing this post is a huge help too!

ROOTS provides emergency shelter, hot meals, and essential services for young adults ages 18-25. Join us to make a difference in a young people’s lives.

07/28/2026

Step right up and save the date for ROOTS Rise Up Carnival on September 25th, 6–9 PM at Block 41!

Come one, come all and witness a night of community, celebration, and daring feats of balance, all in support of young adults finding their footing after experiencing homelessness. Because rising up takes more than nerve — it takes a whole community steadying the ground beneath you.

One night. One cause worth showing up for.

Tickets: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/rootsriseupcarnival

07/17/2026

Yesterday, ROOTS unfortunately experienced a heartbreaking act of severe vandalism. While it was difficult to see our space damaged, what happened next reminded us exactly why our community is so special.

To the incredible staff, volunteers, partners, and community members who jumped into action, who gave their time to help clean up, the supporters who showed up with supplies and encouragement, and the partners who reached out asking how they could help, thank you. Because of your generosity, hard work, and unwavering commitment, we were able to clean up, put ROOTS back together, and open our doors for the young adults who count on us every single night.

Our building may have been vandalized, but our community showed that compassion, resilience, and kindness are far stronger.

Thank you for being there when we ROOTS needed you, so that we could be there for the young people we serve. We are endlessly grateful.