The Full Story
About
Cup of Cool Water is launching a critical capital project to strengthen and sustain youth services
in downtown Spokane by relocating its drop-in center to a new, fully accessible space on the
first floor of the City Gate building. This move will dramatically improve access for youth, staff,
and volunteers; increase operational efficiency; and position the organization to meet growing
community need.
Following the relocation, Cup of Cool Water will convert its current drop-in center into
transitional housing for up to 10 young adults, supported by comprehensive wrap-around
services. Together, these investments will ensure that downtown Spokane retains its only
youth-specific drop-in center, while also expanding pathways to stability, housing, and long-
term self-sufficiency for young people.
Mission
Cup of Cool Water is a trusted community-based nonprofit dedicated to serving youth and
young adults experiencing homelessness, housing instability, and significant life barriers.
Through low-barrier engagement, relationship-centered care, and practical support, the
organization meets young people where they are and walks alongside them toward stability
and independence.
For years, Cup of Cool Water has operated a youth drop-in center in downtown Spokane that
provides a safe, welcoming environment for basic needs, connection, and support. Today, Cup
of Cool Water stands as the only remaining youth-specific drop-in center in the downtown core,
making its continued presence both urgent and essential.
Youth and young adults experiencing homelessness face disproportionate barriers to safety,
health, and stability. Accessible, youth-centered spaces are often the first point of contact that
connects young people to food, safety, services, and hope.
At present, Cup of Cool Water’s drop-in center is located in a space that requires clients, staff,
and volunteers to climb two flights of stairs to enter. This limitation:
-Restricts access for youth with physical disabilities or injuries
-Creates barriers for youth carrying belongings
- Limits participation for volunteers and community partners
- Adds operational strain to daily programming
As the only youth-specific drop-in center downtown, any limitation in accessibility directly
impacts Spokane’s most vulnerable young people. Improving access is not simply a facility
upgrade—it is a matter of equity, dignity, and continuity of care.
Residents will receive individualized, trauma-informed support, including:
- Life-skills development
- Job readiness and employment training
- Behavioral health support and referrals
- Ongoing case management and goal setting
This integrated model ensures that housing is not merely shelter, but a platform for stability,
growth, and long-term independence.
With Your Help
This project represents more than a building improvement—it is a commitment to Spokane’s
youth and young adults.
By investing in this capital campaign, partners will:
-Preserve essential youth services in downtown Spokane
-Remove barriers to access and dignity
- Expand transitional housing for young adults
-Strengthen the long-term sustainability of a proven organization
Cup of Cool Water invites foundations, individual donors, corporate partners, and community
leaders to join in creating a more accessible, stable, and hopeful future for Spokane’s youth.
Together, we can ensure that every young person has a safe place to land—and a clear path
forward.