No one has ever become poor by giving.

Between 2021 and 2022, nearly 2,000 youth aged out of Washington’s foster care system; within 12 months, 20% of these youth had experienced homelessness (Department of Children, Youth & Families, n.d.). Data from Washington State’s Department of Social and Health Services in 2021 indicates that 75% of youth experiencing homelessness after exiting foster care were Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) (Noel-Harrison et al., 2024). Additionally, BIPOC and foster care-involved youth face human trafficking at significantly higher rates than their peers; the National Foster Youth Institute reports that a staggering 60% of child sex trafficking victims were involved in the foster care system at some point (Our Mission - NFYI, n.d.).

Recognizing the impact of systemic racism, the Seattle nonprofit Agape House focuses on BIPOC women support, acknowledging that they are particularly vulnerable to housing instability and sex trafficking, especially after aging out of foster care. The Agape House, a BIPOC-founded and supported agency, aims to disrupt the "foster care to human trafficking pipeline" (Bohn, 2022) through culturally competent supportive services designed specifically for BIPOC women.

The mission of the Agape House is to provide non-time limited housing to homeless, BIPOC women aged 18-27, particularly as they transition out of foster care (“About The Agape House,” 2023). As of 2025, they have offered direct service care to 100 young BIPOC women, including 16 months of transitional living services. In alignment with their mission, the Agape House is preparing to launch a new transitional living program in a more sustainable location, further enhancing homeless youth assistance to ensure young BIPOC women can stay off the streets and out of sex trafficking.

Structure and Services

This transitional living program will be offered in partnership with YouthCare, a Seattle nonprofit that provides essential homeless youth assistance through the Agape House rental space in their building. This space includes private bedrooms, a full kitchen, community areas, and a bathroom for seven residents. Additionally, there is an eight-bedroom with an en suite bathroom for an overnight resident support person, referred to as a Mother Mentor.

Founded by Executive Director Kiti Ward, the Agape House maintains a board of six members, a six-member Executive Committee, and a 10-person Advisory Committee. The Board of Directors, led by the Executive Committee, manages the legal and fiduciary responsibilities of the organization. The Advisory Committee, which comprises members with lived experience of homelessness, serves as a sounding board for difficult situations and informs practices and language considerations for the organization. Board and Advisory Committee members are recruited through outreach to local BIPOC and faith-based communities, with a focus on enhancing BIPOC women support to increase awareness and build a culturally competent support team that collaborates to improve community services. This dedicated team of volunteers, board members, and executive team manages every aspect of the organization, from community outreach to direct client services, including foster care services and promoting fundraising events. Volunteers play a key role in preparing the new transitional living rooms for incoming residents and, once the program is operational, will support residents with self-identified goals in the following areas:

- Permanent housing

- Employment

- Education

- Life skills

- Stem programs and Internships

- Mentorship and peer-counseling

- Total Person, Physical, Spiritual, Emotional, Intellectual, Cultural & Ethnic Awareness, Empowerment