Founded in Faith
Hospitality House was founded in September 2000 by twelve sponsoring churches as an ecumenical outreach to the homeless community in South King County.

Nine years ago, during a hearing with the City of Burien, Charles Koethe (then pastor of Lake Burien Presbyterian Church and Chair of the Steering Committee for Hospitality House) dispelled the anxieties of nervous neighbors and a skeptical Burien City Council with these words:

"Though we are here this evening to win your positive recommendation that the City of Burien permit homeless women to sleep in our facility at Lake Burien, I must confess, people already sleep in our church. Unfortunately, it usually happens during the sermon."

Rev. Koethe then went on to explain, "...establishing a shelter for homeless women is not our idea. We are simply following the One who has told us very clearly:

"...feed the hungry,
clothe the naked,
welcome the stranger,
show hospitality."

In summary, Koethe stated, "If we don't do it, who will?"

Long story short: The Burien City Council voted 4-2 on June 5, 2000 to approve the shelter. And a celebratory Service of Dedication was held on September 17, 2000.

Our sponsoring churches and organizations are the lifeblood of Hospitality House. Most are represented on our Board of Directors and all work tirelessly as faithful volunteer, providing evening meals, serving on fundraising committees, producing newsletters - and this website! Last year, Hospitality House benefited from over 400 volunteers, saving us thousands of dollars in goods and services.

Home for a time

Stop by Hospitality House on any given day and you will experience a warm, welcoming place where  residents go about daily life. Freely, easily. Here, a resident presses an outfit for work tomorrow. There, several others gather for popcorn and a movie. Across the hall, a resident emails a friend, puts the finishing touches on her resume. Just like home.

For more information, visit their website.

 How you can help: Volunteer to provide an evening meal; serve as an overnight volunteer; help with a fundraising event; provide professional services such as haircuts and money management.

Contact: Joan Brown