Birkenfeld – Stella Maris (Our Lady Star of the Sea) House

On May 28, 2009, St. Vincent de Paul, Our Lady Star of the Sea conference, held a groundbreaking event for a new shelter that they are building. The initial idea began several years ago with Board President Harry Morris, tired of putting “band aids” on their current shelter, wanted to see a new shelter for women in Kitsap County. Their current shelter consists of two small single-family homes, with a total of 1590 square feet, built in the 1930’s. They can house up to eleven people, primarily in bunk beds. In 2006, they applied for, and received, funding to do a feasibility study to determine whether it would be better to remodel and add on to their current facility or to build new. For many years, they have “made do” with what they have and made it the best they can for the women and children who need those services.

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