The Medina Foundation awarded $30,000 to Serenity House of Clallam County in June, to support HUB and DreamU financial and employment skills programs that help low-income people build self-reliance and avoid homelessness.

Typical HUB/DreamU participants are less than 30 years of age and are parents of preschool children. All participants are homeless or at risk of losing housing and are highly motivated to improve their employability, earning capacity and money management habits.

The HUB is a non-age-restricted collaboration between Serenity House and the state Department of Social and Human Services (DSHS), Employment Services’ WorkSource, Peninsula College, Kitsap Community Services and Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCAP).

DreamU connects with The HUB, but is specific for homeless and at-risk youth and young adults (YYAs), ages 17-24, who struggle in the community with limited employment opportunities.

“DreamU gives hope to people who had none,” said Viola Ware, program director. “Through outreach and social interaction, we cultivate their interest in housing, education and employment — we give them a chance, as one teen put it, ‘to be anything and everything.’”

Ware manages Serenity House’s Housing Resource Center at 520 E. First St., Port Angeles, which is the site of the main HUB/DreamU classroom.

Serenity House is a 501(c)3 tax deductible nonprofit dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness in Clallam County.

Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 4047, Port Angeles, WA 98363.

For more information about Serenity House, call 452-7224 or e-mail serenity@olypen.com.