COVINGTON, Ky. (WKRC) – Welcome House, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness in Kentucky, has been awarded a $1.25 million grant from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez through the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund, per a news release. This grant follows a similar $1.25 million award received in 2019.
“This grant is a game-changing investment that empowers us to push boundaries in how homelessness is addressed, particularly in Kentucky’s underserved areas,” said Danielle Amrine, CEO of Welcome House, Inc. “With this support, we’ll have the resources to develop strategic, sustainable solutions that turn the possibility of ending homelessness for Kentucky families into a reality.”
Family homelessness in the United States increased significantly from 2022 to 2023, with families now making up more than 28 percent of the homeless population, according to a 2024 report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Welcome House aims to counter this trend in Kentucky with the new grant.
Previously, Welcome House used its first Day 1 Families Fund grant to construct a 20,000-square-foot facility for women, children, and families, which opened in 2023. This facility doubled the organization’s capacity, providing trauma-sensitive support to up to 65 family members, including two-parent families. Since 2020, the shelter has housed over 150 families, with 74% transitioning into stable housing.
The new grant will enable Welcome House to extend its services to rural areas across Kentucky, enhancing outreach, housing assistance, and addressing barriers to stable housing for rural families.
“Families experiencing homelessness – especially those in rural areas – are an often-overlooked aspect of the homelessness issue,” said Jason Spauling, chairman of the Welcome House Board of Directors. “We appreciate the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund’s recognition that Welcome House’s approach moves the needle on family homelessness. Their support will help us do more for families in need across Kentucky.”
Since its inception in 2018, the Day 1 Families Fund has distributed 248 grants totaling nearly $750 million to organizations nationwide. This year, the Fund awarded $110.5 million to 40 organizations.
Read full article here: https://local12.com/news/local/welcome-house-inc-million-dollar-dollars-grant-jeff-bezos-lauren-sanchez-day-1-families-fund-kentucky-covington-homelessness
