Joy was in the air this summer at Solid Ground’s Sand Point Housing – sometimes literally, in the form of flying water balloons.   

After nearly coming to a halt amid safety concerns during the pandemic, youth programs at Sand Point are once again alive with laughter, movement, and learning. And beneath all the fun, something even deeper is happening: Community connections are being built. 

The heartbeat of the Sand Point community 

Perched on a small hill overlooking Magnuson Park and Lake Washington beyond it, our Sand Point Housing campus is home to nearly 200 families and individuals who’ve experienced the trauma of homelessness, including more than 130 children, teenagers, and young adults.  

This community offers more than just permanent housing – it provides a foundation for growth and healing. Families benefit from personalized case management, community celebrations, and strengths-based youth programs that empower kids to thrive in school and in life.  

Summer is the liveliest season at Sand Point, a time when staff team up with partners from across Seattle to keep young minds active, inspired, and safe long after the final school bell rings. While most activities are designed specifically for Solid Ground residents, some are also open to the larger Sand Point community through partnerships with nearby organizations, including Mercy Magnuson Place, Magnuson Community Center, and the City of Seattle. These growing collaborations support a more connected community while continuing to prioritize services for Sand Point youth and families.   

Highlights of this year’s summer activities include: 

• Cooking Tuesdays with Kai and Bela, a weekly hands-on culinary adventure provided by Solid Ground’s Community Food Education.

• A 6-week dance series, developed in collaboration with community members of all ages. 

• On-campus activities like build-a-bike workshops and lake outings, plus field trips to a day camp at Camp Edwards and a drift racing event in Monroe. 

• Museum partnerships that bring hands-on exhibits from the Burke Museum and staff from the Museum of Flight directly to kids at Sand Point. 

• The annual National Night Out celebration, co-hosted with the Seattle Police Department, ctv, and Mercy Housing. 

Friday nights are especially popular, with movie screenings, music production, and open creative workshops, often led by Scott Moorhouse, Sand Point’s Family & Children’s Program Manager, whose infectious energy encourages kids to dream, explore, and express themselves.  

A space for healing and belonging 

Inside a new teen space at Sand Point’s Lowry Community Center, youth find not only entertainment but also safety, autonomy, and support. This trauma-informed, culturally responsive environment allows teens to relax, build trust, and engage in healing through music, art, and community. Whether it’s karaoke, beat-making, or simply having a space to talk, it sends the message: You belong here. 

“They’re exploring more – they want to learn.”

~Scott Moorhouse, Sand Point Family & Children’s Program Manager 

Thanks to Seattle Children’s and the commitment of our dedicated Children’s Program staff, emotional and mental health support is woven into every aspect of programming, with a specific focus on building social-emotional skills like empathy and navigating conflict. Onsite therapy access, financial literacy classes, and one-on-one support help kids build both life skills and confidence that promote long-term success. 

Parents have shared that they’ve seen real change in their children, including improved emotional regulation, fewer behavioral incidents, and stronger connections among children who call the Sand Point Housing campus home. 

Leadership in action 

Our partners’ investments in these programs feed a cycle of personal growth. Older youth who have participated in Sand Point programs for years are stepping into leadership roles, mentoring younger kids, and co-creating events like cultural dinners and neighborhood celebrations through our Family & Youth Council, supported by the City of Seattle. Even meals have become learning opportunities, as youth help prepare and serve food, developing responsibility and pride in the process. 

“If you build it, they will come … and shape it into what they need.”

~Scott Moorhouse 

But our work is far from done. With ongoing support from our invaluable partners, we aim to expand mentorship opportunities, enhance academic and creative offerings, and grow spaces where every young person feels safe, valued, and empowered. Because when youth are given consistency, care, and community, they don’t just show up – they thrive.  

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With heartfelt thanks to all who helped make our work possible this past quarter: 

All images by Rachael Green