Living in Everett and Snohomish County, we all feel the effect of wealth disparity often resulting in a lack of green spaces, overcrowding in homes and schools, gang activity, and distrust among neighbors. Some of our communities feel these impacts more than others and, while the systems we live in are bigger than any of us as individuals, there’s hope. Specifically, Hope for Homies, a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to helping individuals (especially youth and the formerly incarcerated) and communities find hope and purpose.

Hope for Homies got started when Jose ‘Neaners’ Garcia, who spent some time behind bars many years ago, reached a point where it didn’t seem like anything mattered. Then, at this low point, he got what can only be described as a vision - Harvesting Hope - the first draft of the organization that would become Hope for Homies.

Jose knew it was his calling to support his community and build connections with others because this is what led to lasting change and people breaking the cycles they were born into. He also knew that, as someone with lived experience, he was the best person to start building kinship in our community.

This sense of calling is also what drove Jose to pick Snohomish County, and Everett, as the home base for his organization three years ago. His organization started with only three kids but has grown to include youth and adults, as well as a variety of programs all aimed at hope, healing, intervention, and connection.

Jose shared that he and many of the youth and families they work with know that, “it takes a village to raise a kid, but if the kid doesn’t feel the warmth of that village they’ll burn it down.”

This can happen simply because parents are working multiple jobs, are stressed, and are unable to meet the emotional needs of their children, often leading those very children to fill that void any way they can. It can also happen while these youth are simply moving around the community - many times, they’re judged by what they wear, or the music they listen to and rarely (if ever) given the opportunity to show who they are as young people.

Many of the programs Hope for Homies sponsors are aimed at filling that gap with people who have the youth’s best interests at heart and want to see them see beyond the small slice of the world they’re growing up in. These include:

- Teeny Tiny Homies (a program for 8-12-year-olds so, when teens want to engage with some of their programs but have to babysit their siblings or cousins, there’s somewhere where everyone can build meaningful connections)

- Hoods to the Woods (a program so teens can start imagining life beyond the “4-block radius” they’ve grown up with as well as learn valuable life lessons)

- Part-time work programs (two Jose noted were at a local t-shirt screening company and at a funeral home where individuals work as removal technicians)

- Back-to-school supports (such as making sure the youth have all they need to return to school and can get support - like tutoring or internet access - throughout the year)

- Mentoring and small group activities, as well as helping families stay connected to their loved ones who are incarcerated

Hope for Homies is not about gang prevention (or intervention), is not a crisis center, and is not a different version of the YMCA. They’re a connection center where volunteers and others working with Jose intentionally reach out to others to create relationships. Jose noted,

“Something the size of a mustard seed can grow into something larger”, a foundational belief that is at the heart of the work Hope for Homies does.

The focus of this organization is connection, and (more than that) the idea that anyone can build a connection with another person. That’s why community members volunteering their time is their biggest need and ask. The more members of the community that engage with one another, the stronger the connections between us, and the stronger, safer, and happier we all will be.

If you want to learn more, please sign up for their newsletter and, if you want to help, please feel free to donate or email to learn more about volunteer opportunities!

Angela Di Filippo currently works in State Social Services and recently earned her Masters in Industrial/Organizational Psychology with extensive training in evidence-based leadership coaching. Angela moved from North Carolina to Washington 6 years ago and has proudly called Everett her home for 5 of those years. When not helping others solve problems in creative and strength-driven ways, Angela enjoys her time painting, hiking with her terrier-mix, Indy, and eating waffles.