2002 William Allen Award Winners
Helping homeless youth a decade long labor of love
Steve O'Brien, manufacturing operation analyst for the Electrical Systems Responsibility Center has been honored for a decade of commitment to helping homeless teens.
In 1989, staff at the University of Washington Medical Center noticed that most of the street youth coming to their emergency room were severely malnourished. A program called Teen Feed was born, serving nutritious meals to homeless young people in Seattle's University District neighborhood. Last year they served an estimated 7,000 meals
Steve got involved in 1990 when the teens in his church youth group requested help supporting the program. Today, Steve and his wife Kate have taken full responsibility for the Shoreline Covenant Church food team, even paying for the food themselves. (Most church food teams who participate in Teen Feed are supported financially by their congregations.)
On the second Thursday of every month, Steve and his volunteers buy the food, prepare the meals, serve them and clean up afterwards. Behind the scenes he lines up volunteers and keeps them motivated. Steve also interacts with the youth he serves, treating them with dignity and respect and giving them encouragement. If there is food left over, Steve takes it to the Everett Gospel Mission's Women and Children's Center.
Steve's volunteerism doesn't stop at Teen Feed. He has volunteered all his adult life, including coaching youth, aiding refugees, and bringing computer skills to China.