LANGLEY — The tears were real. The money was, too.
Recently, Brenda Fox met with Lori Cavender, executive director of Ryan’s House for Youth. She was there for a pleasant occasion; Fox donated $500 to the planned teen homeless shelter on South Whidbey, and the donation marked a moment from a user of homeless services for both her and her son David Rogers, to someone who chose to return the kindness.
“It’s a euphoric high to give somebody money,” Fox said.
Cavender is waiting on permits to begin construction of the South End’s first homeless youth shelter. While she waits, she is seeking donations and grants to fund the program on a long-term basis.
Private donations like Fox’s had special meaning to Cavender, who knows Fox’s story well.
“This donation is huge,” Cavender said. “The fact that you’re giving this donation — there are no words that can express my gratitude.”
Fox’s 17-year-old son lived in a shelter in Everett while his mom was homeless. She stayed with friends for a while, but never permanent. Rather than have Rogers live with her from house to house or in her car, she sent him to the youth shelter.
“I did not know where to stay,” Fox said. “I couldn’t even have shelter for me. That was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life.”
Rogers met Cavender while working at the Island County Fair. He asked her about the nonprofit and shared his story of living in a homeless shelter on the mainland because there wasn’t a place for him on South Whidbey.
“Living on the island, we don’t have the shelters, we don’t have the walk-ins,” Cavender explained, adding that youths such as Rogers are just the kind of kids who will benefit from Ryan’s House.
“David is such a wonderful boy,” Cavender said.
They spoke about the need for a homeless youth shelter on Whidbey Island. Rogers told Cavender he would have loved to stay on the South End, instead of living in Snohomish County. After all, he grew up on South Whidbey until he was in middle school. The transition from his South End home to a new city, then becoming homeless, Rogers regrets not having a youth shelter to return to on South Whidbey.
“Then maybe they would have been able to help me more,” Rogers said.
A windfall of money helped the mother and son relocate to a new residence in Snohomish County.
Fox recently started a flower delivery business and was able to donate money to Ryan’s House. Rogers, a senior at a technical school, moved in with her at her new place over town. The pair hope their support of the South End’s future shelter will inspire others to pitch in.
“I made it my goal to donate to Ryan’s House,” Fox said. “I, as a single mom, encourage everyone to give money to Ryan’s House.”
