About us

Where to find us

204 S Naches Ave, Yakima, WA 98901

(509) 895-2665

office@rodshouse.org

Hours:

Summer Hours (mid-June to late-August): Monday-Friday

12:00-2:00p (ages 13-24) / 2:00-4:00p (ages 13-21)

Summer Hours: Saturday

12:00-2:00p (ages 13-24)

It started with one girl…

In the winter of 2006, a young girl entered the non-profit agency For A Better Tomorrow. She requested rubber bands so that she could tie her pant legs out of the snow. She was 14 years old, pregnant, and homeless. The father of her child had left town, her mother was institutionalized for drug use, and her father was dying of cancer. After this incident, concerned community members, including Rod Bryant, came to a shocking realization; there were no services in Yakima to accommodate the unique needs of youth who are experiencing homelessness. Through the combined efforts of these individuals, donations from social service agencies and countless volunteer hours, Rod’s House came into being.

Now, 10 years later, Rod's House has helped 1,500+ youth and young adults through the following programs...

Host Homes

Yakima lacks safe housing options for youth experiencing homelessness including ZERO dedicated shelter beds for unaccompanied minors and relatively few openings in housing programs designed for young adults. The Host Homes program launched to help solve this long-standing challenge in our community.

We are seeking temporary (6-24 months) homes for youth who are currently experiencing homelessness or who are at imminent risk of becoming homeless.

Young people eligible for the program must be committed to reaching education, employment, housing, and other stabilization-related goals. Youth must also agree to carefully crafted agreements to qualify for a host home match. You can do your part by offering food, lodging, and mentorship to a youth committed to achieving their personal self-improvement goals. Potential Host Homes must apply and go through a background check before moving forward. For more information, contact Angela Bazan at 509-492-2115 or angela@rodshouse.org.

Education and Employment

Rod’s House Works is our education and employment readiness program helping youth graduate with their diploma or earn their GED, become work-ready, and to find and keep meaningful employment. Youth work closely with Case Managers to set short-term and long-term goals, create resumes, conduct job searches, apply to jobs, and receive support while employed.

The program has been effective in breaking down multiple barriers including lack of required documentation needed for employment such as:

WA State ID and Driver's License

Birth Certificate

School Records

Food Handler’s Card

Social Security Card

and more!

Street Outreach Services

Street Outreach Services (SOS) connects youth and young adults to services and resources through street and community-based outreach. Directly given or through referral, youth can receive drug and alcohol abuse intervention, crisis support, counseling, access to emergency shelter or housing, educational opportunities, employment skill-building, advocacy, family-focused services, and follow-up support.

Rod's House Leaders

The Rod's House Leaders program ensures youth have a voice in daily operations and procedures, develops peer mentor relationships, engages youth in outreach, and helps with personal leadership development.

Youth who are eligible for Rod's House Leaders are identified by staff, and given the opportunity to complete an application. Leaders meet in a group format each month, with Rod's House staff as facilitators.

Young Adult Extreme Winter Weather Shelter

The Young Adult Extreme Winter Weather Shelter was a community project led by the Homeless Network of Yakima County Youth Coalition, supported by Rod's House, Englewood Christian Church, and an array of community members. Running from mid-November to mid-March, the YAEWWS provides shelter for youth ages 18-24. In March 2019, the Network voted to transfer the project to Rod's House.