New showers are part of the expanded services at the Community Engagement Center in downtown Kent to serve the homeless. COURTESY PHOTO, Catholic Community Services

New showers are part of the expanded services at the Community Engagement Center in downtown Kent to serve the homeless. COURTESY PHOTO, Catholic Community Services

Kent’s Community Engagement Center expands services

Help for the homeless at downtown site

Catholic Community Services of Western Washington displayed expanded services at its Community Engagement Center in downtown Kent during a recent open house.

Crews installed showers, laundry services and a kitchenette with a partnership of MultiCare Community Partnership Fund, the Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound and the help of SMR Architects, the Connections Advisory Group and Pioneer Human Services.

The center, 1229 W. Smith St., opened in November 2015 to provide a safe and welcoming environment for people experiencing homelessness or on the verge of losing their housing.

Service providers such as HealthPoint, Valley Cities Counseling, CCS Shelter Staff, King County Mobile Medical Van and Sound Mental Health are consistently onsite to either connect with clients or introduce themselves to those in need.

The center is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, with additional funding support from the city of Kent and King County.

Kent Mayor Dana Ralph and King County Councilman Dave Upthegrove were part of the tour at the June 21 open house.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

People listen to details about the expanded services during an open house in June at the Community Engagement Center in downtown Kent to serve the homeless. COURTESY PHOTO, Catholic Community Services

People listen to details about the expanded services during an open house in June at the Community Engagement Center in downtown Kent to serve the homeless. COURTESY PHOTO, Catholic Community Services

More in News

Kent School Board directors Teresa Gregory (top left), Tim Clark and Donald Cook during a Dec. 3 work session with staff about the Kent School District’s budget. VIDEO SCREENSHOT, Kent School District
Kent School Board seeks budget cut details from district staff

Wants break down of $7 million in reductions from this year’s budget; student enrollment decline to continue

Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. FILE PHOTO, Kent Reporter
Judge sentences man, 40, for 2021 Kent drive-by shooting

Receives nearly 5 years in prison; shots fired at two people in vehicle for lack of drug payment

t
Motorcyclist recovering after Kent hit-and-run on East Hill

Galen Morris injured after hosting karaoke at Kent bar; friends start fundraiser

Steffanie Fain. COURTESY PHOTO, King County
Steffanie Fain receives Sound Transit Board appointment

Newly elected King County Councilmember to represent Kent, Renton and other cities

t
Light rail’s opening day arrives Saturday, Dec. 6 in Kent, Federal Way

Celebrations planned at three new stations as service along 7.8-mile extension begins

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Kent Police Blotter: Nov. 24-30

Incidents include Chevron ATM stolen, stabbing, assault, pedestrian struck by vehicle

t
Light rail parking garages too big, too small or just right?

Service starts Dec. 6 at 3 new stations in Kent, Des Moines and Federal Way

The speed (62 mph) of a driver along 104th Avenue SE as shown on an officer’s radar. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
Dedicated Kent DUI officer also issuing speeding tickets

Officer catches drivers traveling 84 and 62 mph along 104th Avenue SE corridor

Courtesy Photo, Washington State Patrol
Kent woman, 19, faces vehicular assault, DUI charges after I-5 crash

Single-vehicle crash early Monday morning, Dec. 1 near South 272nd Street

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Man, 79, died in Kent shooting at park and ride lot

King County Medical Examiner’s Office identifies man as George Herbert Mattison

t
Kent-Meridian High School unveils mural for fallen students, staff

Fatal shootings of two students in 2024 inspires artwork of remembrance and honor

t
King County shots fired incidents drop dramatically in 2025

Third-quarter report shows homicides by firearm down 48% from high of 31 in 2021 to 16 so far this year