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Family Support and Homeless Assistance

Program Summary

Walla Walla School District's Families in Transition/Homeless Education Program is in place to address and support the educational needs of students who find themselves in temporary or transitional housing during the school year. Our program works closely with local shelter and housing providers, community agencies and resources, and the City of Walla Walla, County of Walla Walla and Washington state's Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. We work together to ensure educational stability for students in short-term/temporary and transitional/homeless housing situations so they feel supported and encouraged while they secure permanent housing.

Community Resources

  • Walla Walla Warming Centers: Open seasonally from November 1 to February 28.

    • First Congregational Church, 73 S. Palouse St. Opens when the temperature is between 20-25 degrees. Check in begins at 7 p.m. and check out is at 7 a.m. Men and women 18 and older allowed. 

  • OWWL (Short for One Walla Walla List)- it is intended to serve as a comprehensive directory for resources in Walla Walla Valley.
  • Walla Walla Alliance for the Homeless (sleep center, showers, mailboxes); 541.203.0122
  • Exit Homeless Program; 509.596.1114
  • Blue Mountain Action Council (food bank, low-income housing assistance, energy assistance, unaccompanied youth services ages 12-24); 509.416.6194
  • Legal Counsel for Youth and Children (ages 12-24 unaccompanied youth free legal help)
  • SonBridge (some medical & dental services, thrift store, counseling); 509.529.3100
  • Christian Aid Center (Men Services, Women & Children Services, and Meals): 509.525.7153
  • Catholic Charities of Walla Walla (services for housing, counseling, food, immigration, seniors); 509.525.0572
  • The Loft (24-hour emergency shelter for unaccompanied youths ages 12-17); 509.876.0130
  • YWCA (Safe Shelter for women and children escaping domestic violence); 509.525.2570
  • Walla Walla Housing Authority (rental assistance program); 509.527.4542
Information for Parents (English)
Information for parents
Informacion Para Los Padres (Spanish)
Informacion Para Los Padres (Spanish)

More Information and Resources

Who to Contact

If you have a student/child who may qualify for our Program's assistance and services or would like more information, please contact your school's Intervention Specialist or the District Homeless Education Liaison: 

Building WWPS Contact WWPS Phone CIS Contact
WWPS District Liaison Samantha Ruiz, 
Student Equity & Engagement Intervention Specialist
Email		 509-526-6788 Esmeralda Pedroza, Truancy Specialist
Berney Makenzie Bishop 509.526.8540 Elizabeth Bahena
Center for Child & Fam (TK) Axel Patino 509.526.1774 Cindy Ramirez
Center for Child & Fam (Head Start) Christine Ludwig 509.526.1788 Cindy Ramirez
Edison Itsel Corona Madrigal 509.526.1807 Nicole Flores-Ramirez
Green Park Andraya Anderson 509.526.8590 Kristi Richard
Prospect Point Hannah Webber 509.526.1745 Rosemary Hernandez
Sharpstein Yara Martinez 509.526.1708 Erica Walsh
Garrison Yaneth Hernandez 509.526.1908 Jennifer Hernandez
Pioneer Adrian Sandoval 509.526.1964 or 1981 Helen Freer
Lincoln Shelly Robertson
Victor Paolino		 509.526.8514
509-526-7538		 Nathan Paine
Opportunity Mireya Vargas 509.526.2052  
Wa-Hi Samantha Ruiz 509-526-8638 Quiara Avalos
WW Online Jason Knittel 509.526.2060