Westside Neighbors Shelter is located inside American Legion Post 160 in West Seattle. Although the American Legion’s primary mission is to support veterans in the local community, Keith Hughes, Commander of Post 160 and president of West Seattle Veterans Service Center, realized that he could also use the resources of the American Legion Hall to help people who needed warmth and shelter during the winter. In 2019, he began opening the hall as a warming center in the mornings, and as an overnight shelter on the very coldest nights. Anyone in need is welcome, whether or not they’re a veteran. All clients and visitors must agree to this code of conduct in order to enter and use the shelter’s resources.
The American Legion Hall is a warm, dry building with restrooms, a shower, a coffee maker, a soup pot, cots, sleeping mats, and blankets. The shelter is small, and not open all the time. There are no paid staff, mental health professionals, or housing advocacy specialists—only caring volunteers from the community willing to help people when they need it. These people help provide food, clothes, and emergency services as the emergency is occurring, rather than “after all the paperwork is done.” It’s an ongoing process of learning, growing, and building on the successes.
If you have a desire to help, and you have time, experience, or expertise you would like to put to good use, please visit the How to Volunteer page. If you are willing and able to donate financially, please visit the Donate page.
Thank you to everyone who has offered advice, encouragement, experienced leadership, helping hands, and funds for the shelter to continue operating.