POULSBO — The C. Keith Birkenfeld Memorial Trust announced its commitment Oct. 13 to support the Morrow Manor project with a gift of $500,000.

Morrow Manor is a collaboration between the Poulsbo-North Kitsap Rotary Club and the YWCA of Kitsap County to build eight units of affordable housing for survivors of domestic violence.

Morrow Manor will double the YWCA’s housing availability in Kitsap County.

“The Birkenfeld Fund Advisory Committee within The Seattle Foundation was aware of the silent but steady work that has been taking place for the past two years around this project to create more supportive, affordable housing for survivors of domestic violence,” said Claire Bishop, an adviser to The Seattle Foundation, in an announcement of the gift.

“We’re very excited to be part of the project and the impact it will make on the entire West Sound community. We know that Mr. Birkenfeld would be pleased with the unprecedented partnership between a local service club like Poulsbo-North Kitsap Rotary and a dedicated non-profit such as the YWCA of Kitsap County, who have jointly taken on a project of this scope and size.”

The C. Keith Birkenfeld Memorial Trust was established in 2006. Birkenfeld, who died Sept. 7, 2005, was a Bremerton native who retired from the Bellevue School District, where he taught international relations and U.S. history on the high school level and served as an administrator. He spent his last 25 years living on Bainbridge Island.

Supporters of the project say “supportive” housing is one of the most important links to long-term success for domestic violence survivors working to start new lives.

Last year, the YWCA of Kitsap County answered 4,711 domestic violence hotline calls and provided legal advocacy to 601 domestic violence victims; 35 women and 24 children fleeing domestic violence found a safe haven in YWCA’s ALIVE Shelter, which provides short-term housing and support.

However, advocates say the YWCA turned away 1,544 women and children because of lack of shelter and housing, and that number is expected to increase in 2015.

Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness in Kitsap County. Short- and long-term transitional housing can help survivors continue the challenging journey of rebuilding their lives, advocates say.

Morrow Manor is named in honor of Ardis Morrow, a longtime advocate for change in domestic violence laws and in DV services in the county. She is the founder of Eli’s House, a duplex of transitional homes in Poulsbo named in memory of her great-grandnephew, who died at age 3 after being kicked by his father. Eli’s House is managed by the YWCA.

Also providing transitional housing: Tersha’s House in Silverdale, named for Tersha Jo Brown, who was shot to death by her boyfriend in Sacramento in 2009.

“The issues of domestic violence are very familiar to our club, because we’ve been blessed with Ardis Morrow and her leadership to champion awareness around domestic violence since the tragic death of her nephew, Eli Creekmore, back in 1986,” Poulsbo-North Kitsap Rotary Club President Naveen Chaudhary said.

A vision emerges

When Amy Sanford of Bainbridge Island joined Rotary in 2012, she shared her story as a domestic violence survivor — and how having a supportive, safe place to call home while she rebuilt her life was key to her success.

Sanford’s story helped spark the vision for Morrow Manor.

Morrow Manor will consist of eight homes in a peaceful residential neighborhood in Poulsbo, adjacent to a new community park. The Rotary Club is raising funds for development of the donated site, and will deed the debt-free homes and property to the YWCA. The City of Poulsbo will fund, develop and maintain the park.

The capital campaign goal is $2.1 million. Proponents hope to begin construction in summer 2016.

The YWCA will manage supportive services for Morrow Manor residents, and manage the property in conjunction with its other housing, advocacy, and client management services.

Residents will be able to stay at Morrow Manor on a sliding scale of affordable rents for up to six years.

“The access to amenities like public transportation, schools, recreation, medical offices, and shopping is outstanding on this property,” said Denise Frey, executive director of the YWCA.

“Courageous women and children from all over Kitsap and the West Sound are going to find refuge and a new beginning … at Morrow Manor.”

Chad Solvie, chairman of the Poulsbo-North Kitsap Rotary Domestic Violence Prevention Committee, added, “Many lives and multiple generations will be transformed for the better by this project, and we extend great thanks to the generosity of the C. Keith Birkenfeld Memorial Trust for such a notable gift to the campaign.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP: Vote for Morrow Manor and help the project win $10,000 from Jewelers for Children.

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