CoolSpokane

03/16/2026

This is a call for people supporting others navigate in our communities. We're calling in Peers who are certified, credentialed, or not. We want to hear from you!

Safe & Healthy Spokane Task Force is hosting our community Peer Network. We want to invite all Peers who are advocates working closely with those who are in need of change and reform to our public health, public safety, and criminal justice systems to better ensure a healthy and safe Spokane.

We are particularly focused on how we support individuals and communities who are most negatively affected by these systems today.

We invite you to share this invitation, but know that this meeting is specifically for Peers who are directly invested in making improvements to these systems with a focus on reducing incarceration and recidivism.

We want this space to be a place where everyone feels they can share their hopes but also their skepticism and concerns about this process, so trust in the room will be important.

We will have food to share, so please RSVP as a head count will be helpful. Give a shout if you have any questions.

Community & Safety!

08/03/2025

Thank you, Empire Health Foundation (now Waters Meet Foundation) for being willing to bring strategy and solution in our community, for our community. 🏠🌞

There’s a lot of misinformation swirling around about Empire Health Foundation"s (now Waters Meet Foundation) Tiny Home Village plans in west Spokane. Yoyot Sp'q'n'i wants to share this statement in support of this Bridge Housing project. It is exactly the kind of solution our community needs.

For generations, Indigenous communities have built place-based, culturally rooted villages where everyone had a role, was cared for, and could thrive. We know that when people have safety, stability, and connection, and can be INCLUDED in community, they can not only heal, they can thrive.

Tiny Home Villages honor this same truth.

Tribal-led efforts like the Yakama Nation’s transitional villages have helped more than 60% of residents move into stable housing within a year.

In Olympia, neighbors saw a drop in 911 calls and increased safety after Quixote Village opened.

In Seattle, these villages have a 41% success rate moving people into permanent housing—over four times higher than traditional shelters.

What will this Village provide? Wraparound care, including housing, employment, healthcare, behavioral health, cultural & community connection & support. This will help people rebuild their lives. They also make neighborhoods safer and stronger. 💪🏽❤️

We urge Spokane City and County leaders to support this project moving forward and for our community to stand up to fear and misinformation.

Tiny Home Villages work! They embody the care and dignity every person deserves.

What you can do -
Email your City Council members & County Commissioners in support of this project.

Share this post to spread facts, not fear. To share compassion and information.

Stay tuned for opportunities to show up at public meetings about this amazing project of community care.

At YS we believe in solutions that center humanity and care.

This is one of them. 🏠❤️

05/27/2025

The Way to Justice = Freedom in our community! ✊🏾

05/27/2025

The Columbia River Canoe Project is an award-winning 70-minute documentary that chronicles a remarkable 1,300-mile canoe expedition undertaken by cousins Robert Lester and Braxton Mitchell. Starting from the Continental Divide near Butte, Montana, and culminating at the Pacific Ocean, their 52-day journey traversed four U.S. states and a segment of Canada. Throughout the expedition, they navigated over 40 dams and portaged more than 175 miles, confronting both natural challenges and environmental concerns.

The film serves as a compelling coming-of-age story and a poignant exploration of environmental stewardship. It highlights the ecological issues facing the Columbia River Watershed, including pollution, dam impacts, and habitat degradation. By engaging with Indigenous communities and local stakeholders, the documentary emphasizes the importance of preserving this vital ecosystem for future generations.

For those in the Spokane area, the documentary is scheduled to be screened at the Magic Lantern on Main Theatre on May 29, 2025.

Mountain King Ski | Climb | Mountaineer| Adventure | ExploreEnjoy The Journey Columbia River Canoe Project Tickets!!! Columbia River Canoe Project Learn About Rob Lester Professional Skier, Climber, and Mountaineer and from Montana, Robert’s desire to explore and love for adventure has allowed him...

05/27/2025

The cancellation of the nearly $20 million federal Community Change Grant has significantly impacted Spokane's efforts to protect its unhoused and underhoused populations during extreme heat and wildfire smoke events.

Immediate Impacts on Vulnerable Populations

The grant was intended to fund critical initiatives, including:

● Installation of high-efficiency HVAC and air filtration systems in 300 low-income homes.

● Development of five Community Resilience Hubs to serve as safe spaces during extreme weather.

● Re-granting of $2.6 million to local nonprofits and faith-based organizations.

● Job training programs in clean energy and energy efficiency.

With Spokane facing rising temperatures and increased wildfire smoke exposure, the loss of this funding poses immediate risks to public health and safety, particularly for those lacking stable housing.

Local Response and Mitigation Efforts

In response to the funding shortfall, Spokane has initiated several measures:

Interlocal Agreement: Spokane County and the cities of Spokane and Spokane Valley have signed an agreement to coordinate data sharing, award granting, extreme weather responses, and development planning. This collaboration aims to pool resources and improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.

Emergency Shelter Plan: The city plans to expand capacity at existing facilities, adding approximately 100 beds a night for 38 nights of emergency activation. However, this plan is limited by budget constraints and may not meet the demand during prolonged extreme weather events.

Comprehensive Homelessness Strategy: Mayor Lisa Brown and the Spokane City Council have announced a strategy focusing on healthcare, outreach, multidisciplinary engagement, and economic stability. This includes codifying best practices for siting and activating inclement weather centers and establishing "Good Neighbor" agreements between the city and shelter providers.

While Spokane's local initiatives demonstrate a commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, the abrupt loss of federal funding hampers the city's ability to implement comprehensive climate resilience measures. The community continues to advocate for the reinstatement of the grant to ensure the health and safety of its residents during extreme weather conditions.

Spokane’s most vulnerable residents will no longer have assistance in preparing for the devastating effects of climate change, if the Trump administration follows through on its intent to rescind nearly $20 million in federal funding.

05/01/2025

Reposting from one of our favorite councilmembers, Paul Dillon! 🙌🏽

HB 1258 just passed both chambers—ensuring local 911 excise tax revenue is fairly distributed. This is a win for equity and public safety in Spokane. Thank you Rep. Ormsby, Rep. Hill, and everyone who pushed this forward! 💪🏽📞🔥

A big win for Spokane!

05/01/2025

Reposting this excellent conversation from the City of Spokane’s Equity Spotlight with Alex Gibilisco and Toni Lodge of The NATIVE Project. Toni’s journey from North Dakota to Spokane is a powerful reminder of the resilience of Native communities.

She speaks truth about the challenges Native families face—and the urgent need for housing, child welfare reform, and culturally rooted health equity. The NATIVE Project continues to lead with care, community, and commitment. We’re grateful for this work and proud to uplift it. ✊🏽🌿🏠

05/01/2025

Spokane Leads with Dignity: Address Ban Defeated!
Thanks to powerful community organizing and courageous leadership from Councilmembers like Paul Dillon, Spokane just rejected a harmful address ban targeting our unhoused relatives. This is a victory for human rights, survival, and equity. We keep us safe. ✊🏽🏕️📬

The council voted 6-1 to pass the "Ban the Address" ordinance which aims to prevent discrimination against unhoused individuals seeking employment.