Blackthorn Haven FAQ

What is Blackthorn?
Blackthorn is a program of the Garage, 501C3 non-profit agency located in Issaquah, Washington. Blackthorn is dedicated to providing immediate support and services to youths, ages 12-18, experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. As needed, it also arranges for community host homes to provide temporary or even long-term housing for unhoused youths.

Why "Blackthorn"?
Blackthorn is a large deciduous bush or tree featuring dark bark and thorny branches and produces a small fruit similar to a plum. In Celtic mythology, the blackthorn is often associated with "protection and hope in the midst of devastation". The Blackthorn name was suggested by the ISD Student Equity Council and adopted by The Garage Board of Directors.

Why are Blackthorn Services Needed in Issaquah?
In Issaquah as well as in far East King County, no agencies directly serve teens experiencing homelessness. Within the Issaquah School District, approximately 150 youth self-reported as being homeless each academic year, a number that is widely viewed as significantly under-reported. Due to a lack of services, Issaquah-area youth seeking housing are forced to leave behind their community connections and travel to Kirkland, Bothell, Everett, or Auburn. Such disconnections from family and community have documented adverse impacts on the outcomes for unhoused youth. As the number or unhoused Issaquah teen grow, we need to establish local services to serve local needs.

How Does Blackthorn Serve the Immediate Needs of Teens Experiencing Homelessness?
Teens experiencing homelessness will access services at the Blackthorn drop-in center located in central Issaquah. The drop-in center will offer food, clothing, showers, phones, storage for belongings, a washing machine and dryer, desks, supplies for completing homework, and recreation with peers. Most importantly, full-time counselors and full-time case workers will be available to assess students' needs and begin working immediately to locate housing and resources for teens and, possibly, for their families. Counselors will emphasize family reconciliation as appropriate, or alternate housing as necessary.

Does Blackthorn Work With Other Agencies Providing Human Services?
Teens experiencing homelessness need a wide variety of resources and supports suited to individual situations. There are many different reasons why teens become unhoused. Blackthorn staff recognize the importance of working in partnership with Issaquah and the far East King County communities. Partners include the City of Issaquah, the Issaquah School District, Friends of Youth, Safe Place, the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank, Eastside Fire & Rescue, Empower Youth Network, the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, and many others. In addition, Blackthorn's is a program of The Garage, a Teen Cafe. The Garage has operated successfully in Issaquah since 2018, with an excellent track record of providing a safe place for teens to hang out after school.

What are Host Homes?
With our goal of keeping Issaquah-area unhoused teens in their community, Blackthorn is developing a volunteer network of local families willing to open their homes to unhoused teens. Host home programs are authorized under Washington State law and have operated successfully in Washington State for decades.

What Kinds of Standards Apply to Host Homes?
Host home families undergo rigorous background checks, interviews, and training, very similar to foster care providers but without the attachment to a state-sponsored or funded program. Blackthorn provides background checks, training, pro bono legal advice, program oversight and support for host home participants. A support group for host families will meet regularly. All teen placements require parental permission, and youth and hosts work together to formulate and agree to "house rules".

How is Blackthorn Funded?
Blackthorn is funded through a mix of federal, state, regional and local government assistance, contracted services, and donations from foundations and community members.

What is the History of Blackthorn?
When The Garage was established in 2018, several unhoused teens began attending and sharing their stories with staff. It quickly became evident that Issaquah and surrounding areas lacked sufficient resources to serve their needs. The COVID19 pandemic only highlighted the kinds of problems and lack of services facing unhoused teens. In January of 2021, Garage staff invited community leaders and the Issaquah School District Equity Council to join an organizing committee. The committee met regularly throughout 2021- gathering research, conducting site visits, writing mission and vision statements, defining the unique needs of our community, developing a business plan, and conducting community outreach. By early 2022, plans for launching Blackthorn were in place.

How Have Teens Been Involved in Blackthorn Planning?
Teens attended every meeting of the organizing committee and participated fully in discussions. A high school student intern helped to shape all aspects of the business plan and community outreach. Most important,  the ISD Student Equity Council, with the help of Friends of Youth, conducted a survey of teen/youth experiencing homelessness, or who had recently experienced homelessness. The results of that survey significantly impacted Blackthorn's eventual choice to host a drop-in center for immediate assistance, and to pursue a host home program for longer-term housing solutions.

How Can I Contact Blackthorn for more information or to help?
Contact Lisa Haynes, Program Director of the Host Home Program.
lisa@issaquahteencafe.org