Amara heard about The Coffee Oasis drop-in center and shelter from a friend in school who shared that they served free food. “I came here and found out that they helped with everything else.” She was excited to connect with others her own age and made friends quickly. 

Before finding The Coffee Oasis, Amara shared that she didn’t have stable housing and wasn’t making it to school a lot because she didn’t have anywhere to sleep at night. Reflecting on her time staying at The Coffee Oasis shelter, she shared, “It was the first place I stayed that felt calm. I wasn’t in fight or flight mode all the time. It was a really calm environment for me to come here, versus what I was used to. I just felt like I could chill here and I didn’t have to worry about anything.” 

The Coffee Oasis youth shelter serves an under-resourced demographic, as the only youth shelter in Kitsap County.

Amara shared that at other shelters, she has seen young girls turned away because they didn’t have an ID. “They would be put in really dangerous positions, like having to sleep on the streets, because most shelters don’t house minors.”

During her time staying at the shelter, she connected with a variety of programs that made a significant impact on her life. She went through the job training program where she completed job training classes and an internship, while receiving a stipend. 

At the annual Back to School Bash, she received new shoes and school supplies to prepare for the year. “The Back to School Bash really helped me, because it made me feel more prepared and excited to go back to school because I had everything I needed.”

“It helped me with my self-worth. I felt like I was one of the normal kids again, I guess you can say. Like I wasn’t left out anymore, because I didn’t have what I needed. Because you know, kids tend to bully other kids if they don’t fit in with everybody else.”

During a time when she lost everything, while experiencing homelessness, the clothing closet was a valuable resource. “There was a point in time where I literally had two pairs of shorts and a t-shirt–I didn’t have shampoo or anything. I washed my hair with body wash. So I was able to get real clothes and shampoo, conditioner, and stuff. It was the middle of winter and all I had were two pairs of shorts and a t-shirt.”

Amara shared that The Coffee Oasis has helped her grow, become more social, and think of life with a more positive outlook.

“I felt like I could do the things I wanted to do. All I needed to do was ask for help on doing them and there were people willing to help me meet my goals.” She has accomplished many of her goals such as finding stable housing, going back to school, and finding employment.

“My life has changed for the better since coming here. I was able to get housing, get job experience. I’ve received hygiene products, clothes, and food. I have a bunch of friends, so it’s been really positive for me coming here.”

“I’ve watched other people my age turn their lives around coming to The Coffee Oasis. They provide a lot of opportunities for people that need to turn their lives around, because there’s job training classes, housing, mentorship, and help getting work experience.”

Amara is hopeful for the future and pursuing her dreams. “I want to become a nurse so that I can be a good influence on my daughter. And I want to have a family one day; a family that’s fulfilling.  I want to have a nice house and a garden. I just want to live a peaceful life.”

If someone is thinking of supporting The Coffee Oasis, Amara expressed, “I would really strongly encourage them to support it because there’s no other place that serves the age demographic. 

“It’d be scary, honestly, to think what it would be like for somebody my age if The Coffee Oasis wasn’t around. It would just be really hard to struggle.”

Written Edit by: Caryn Wright //  Date Written: August 20, 2025