Three Rivers HomeLink is a school in Richland accomplishing a selfless deed. Before the school year ends, their newly assembled leadership team partnered with Safe Harbor — not only to volunteer but to help donate to those in need. Three Rivers HomeLink is setting an example and helping the Tri-Cities community.
How it Started
During this school year of 2022, Three Rivers HomeLink decided to form a leadership group. With meetings every Thursday, the leadership team has big dreams for the future. They chose electoral positions, and the President is Dana Pickett, Vice President is Sariah Rhoten, and the Secretary is Emma Taylor. They are the leaders behind a donation drive supporting a local organization helping so many.
“Tyler Clayton reached out to us about his idea,” said Sariah. The original plan was to help all people in need. The team agreed that this was a splendid suggestion and decided to go forward. They brainstormed a list of what they believed to be the best for the care kits they wanted to give out. Later on, Veronica Kenney, a teacher at HomeLink and part of Leadership, found an organization called Safe Harbor. The branch the group chose was My Friends Place. The leadership team finalized that they could donate to them.
Since they chose the place to donate, the group researched the organization’s needs. From here, Dana, Emma, and Sariah built a place for donations in the school. “We are hoping all of leadership will go and volunteer,” said Emma. Three Rivers HomeLink went out of their way not to stop with just donating. They are volunteering to help at Safe Harbor. Helping people for them is something that is not taken lightly.
My Friends Place
My Friends Place is a branch that is part of the bigger organization Safe Harbor. Once started as a crisis nursery, Safe Harbor has adapted to the community and our needs. In the ‘My Friends Place’ branch, Safe Harbor provides houseless 13-17-year-olds with meals, beds, clothing, showers, and necessary products. Safe Harbor shares the important message of preventing child abuse and unhealthy home lives.
Since 1998 Safe Harbor Support Center has cared for and provided support to more than 2,000 families in the Tri-Cities. Operating for more than 20 years, Safe Harbor is always looking for volunteers to help make a difference in the community and donations are always appreciated.
The Message
The student leadership team at Three Rivers HomeLink is sending out a message to the Tri-Cities. “We hope this sets an example. There are teens that need a homeless shelter to go to. We hope it causes people to think and help out.” Harmony with others is what is to come. We as people, as one, can help the community better itself. One simple act can become a significant change.
The student leaders hope to carry on the message of caring into future years. This act may not become a yearly thing, but there is hope that movements like these will continue. There are ways to help our community, and donations are the start. Three Rivers HomeLink and their leadership team are showing that kindness is a message everyone understands.
Three Rivers HomeLink
1710 Van Giesen St., Richland
509.967.6090
Safe Harbor
1111 Grant Pl., Kennewick
509.783.5734
