Stories

“I moved into Hotel Olympus in 2009. I was recovering financially from being laid off during the 2008 economy crash from my job as Associate Editor at a local newspaper. There were no jobs. I was a single parent and we had to give up the house we were renting because my freelance income wasn’t enough. I moved here so my daughter could go to Tacoma School of the Arts. This place allowed me time and space to reinvent myself. I became one of the best festival organizers in Tacoma. I consulted and/or managed almost all of the bigger festivals in the area including Art on the Ave, First Night, Bumbershoot, Proctor Arts Festival, Freedom Fair, Tacoma Maritime Fest and more. I collaborated with 15 other local artists, musicians and performers and opened Speakeasy Arts Cooperative in 2010. That gallery won a lot of awards and recognition in the 13 months that had it open. I was recruited by Hotel Olympus former manager to help out with a project and for a few months in 2016 I represented Allied doing Tax Credit Recertification for the Tacoma Housing Authority. When that project ended Allied Residential asked me to train to become an apartment manager. Within the year I was managing Hotel Olympus. The job experience, plus a lot of research on my own, enabled me to become a real estate investor. Now I own a duplex as an investment property and I am taking steps to purchase another one. I have lived here 10 years and 4 months and right now I am writing historical fiction book about Hotel Olympus which will include a lot of the building’s history that is not documented anywhere else.”

“The staff [at the WAFHome] are absolutely the best! Thank you so much. I feel so much at home. Lots of Christmas gifts, great experience!”

“I don’t know what I would have done without KWA & the amazing [WAFHome] staff. Everyone was a godsend. Me and my son thank you with all of our hearts!!!”

“I really appreciate the [WAFHome]  staff here. I am thankful to have crossed paths with you all. Night time staff, thank you for helping me with anything I might have needed.”

“WAFHome made our family feel safe and loved.”

“I more than appreciate this program. You gave me a place to lay my head, and that’s what matters to me.”