A new permanent YWCA drop-in center in downtown Bellevue for homeless and low-income women will be celebrated Thursday, Oct. 2, with a grand opening and public tours.

YWCA Angeline’s Eastside Women’s Center, formerly Eastside Women’s Center, was the first facility of its kind on the Eastside when it started operating in December 2006. Partnering with Bellevue First Congregational Church at 752 108th Ave. NE, the Women’s Center shared space in the church’s downstairs meeting hall until the recent renovation.

With this newly remodeled, permanent space at the church, the center will be able to expand services and meet the needs of more low-income and homeless Eastside women, said Sue Sherbrooke, chief executive officer of the YWCA of Seattle-King County-Snohomish County.

“Located in the heart of downtown Bellevue amid office and retail buildings, this permanent center will provide a safe and welcoming environment for homeless women seeking a refuge from the streets,” said Sherbrooke. “It’s a place where they can find emotional support from staff and each other.”

The grand opening is scheduled from 3:30 to 6 p.m. with a brief program at 5 p.m. Tours will be offered before and after the program. Light refreshments also will be served.

The $190,000 project was made possible by the Bellevue Rotary Club, which saw the need for a permanent YWCA center as a fitting “signature endeavor” for its annual fundraising gala. The club raised more than $192,000 at the event.

“The Bellevue Rotary is a proud supporter of the YWCA and together we share a vision for making dreams real for the women in our community,” said Sarah Langton, president of Bellevue Rotary. “Our members are thrilled to have been part of this beautiful renovation project, and to be an ongoing partner with the YWCA in empowering women and creating solutions to the complex issues related to poverty in the region.”

In addition to the Rotary and Bellevue First Congregational Church, the YWCA also received support from the local faith community, King County library system, the cities of Bellevue, Kirkland and Redmond; and businesses and individuals.

The new 1,335-square-foot center includes a full-service kitchen where meals will be prepared on site; a comfortable seating and eating area; expanded restroom and shower space; private counseling offices; and expanded Internet and computer access for skills training and other uses.

The new space will be able to accommodate potential new services, including cooking and nutrition classes, health education workshops, a lending library, and access to medical care through regular visits from a public health nurse.

Since it opened in the church’s shared space nearly two years ago, the center has logged more than 2,000 visits and helped more than 225 women with counseling, referrals and essential services, including meals, showers, restrooms and laundry facilities, and phone and computer access.

While it worked to help women out of homeless, the center itself lacked a permanent home. Most nights, its furnishings and supplies had to be packed up and put away to accommodate other community groups.

“We have enjoyed a wonderful partnership with the YWCA and feel blessed by the opportunity the Bellevue Rotary brought to the program by making this center possible,” said Helen Leuzzi, chair of the Bellevue First Congregational outreach commission. “This center fits perfectly with our faith mission of reaching out with compassion and making the sacrifices and connections necessary to help improve people’s lives.”

Local churches and municipalities have long struggled with how to address the needs of very low-income and homeless individuals and families on the Eastside, which has shortage of affordable rental housing.

The lack of affordable housing is the primary cause of homelessness on the Eastside, according to the 2007 East King County Plan to End Homelessness, followed by lack of a living wage, loss of primary income, domestic violence, divorce/separation, medical/health issues and other factors.

For more information on the center and the grand opening event, call Cathy MacCaul, the YWCA’s associate director of community affairs, at 206-461-4441.