FāVS Religion News Roundup: Jan. 17
News Story by FāVS Staff
Will Hope House close in 2025?
A women’s shelter that received $1.2 million in city funding last year faces potential closure, affecting up to 100 residents. Volunteers of America plans to shutter Hope House by the end of June, according to a committee agenda, despite receiving emergency funding from the city of Spokane in August 2024. VOA CEO Fawn Schott is scheduled to present details of the closure plan to the council.
The shelter has announced similar closures in 2021, 2022 and 2024, each time securing last-minute funding to remain open, according to RANGE Media. The latest crisis comes months after Schott praised the city for being the sole funding source when other government and private entities declined to contribute.
New president announced at Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University has named Katia Passerini as its 27th president, effective July 15. Passerini, who currently serves as provost and senior executive vice president at Seton Hall University, will succeed Thayne M. McCulloh, who is stepping down after 16 years as president.
A native of Italy and lifelong Catholic, Passerini brings extensive academic and administrative experience to the role, including service as interim president at Seton Hall during the 2023-24 academic year. She joins Gonzaga at a time of significant growth, with the university recently receiving Phi Beta Kappa recognition and expanding programs in healthcare, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. Passerini, her husband Arturo, and their three sons will relocate to Spokane this summer, with inauguration ceremonies planned for fall 2025.
Gov. Bob Ferguson’s aims to protect reproductive freedom
Gov. Bob Ferguson signed his first three executive orders Wednesday after being sworn in as Washington’s 24th governor. One order aims to strengthen reproductive rights. It directs the Department of Health to form a roundtable to protect reproductive freedom, referencing the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. While Ferguson’s focus on reproductive health was praised by some, Republican Rep. Chris Corry expressed concern that it might overshadow other priorities, especially with the incoming Trump administration, The Spokesman reported.
YWCA’s Women Achievement honorees announced
YWCA Spokane has announced the honorees for the 2025 Women of Achievement Awards, recognizing nine women for their outstanding contributions to the Spokane community. The awards will be presented at a luncheon on March 14 at the Spokane Convention Center. For 43 years, YWCA Spokane has celebrated women who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to making Spokane a better place.
The 2025 honorees include Charity Bagatsing-Doyl (Arts & Culture), Julie Honekamp (Business & Industry), Dr. Ping Ping (Racial & Social Justice), Kiantha Duncan (Community Enhancement), Jennifer Hansen (Education), Marlene Feist (Government/Public Service), Amy Washington (Science & Environment), Athena Mangano (Young Woman of Achievement), and Janet Mann (Lifetime Achievement).
The event will raise funds for domestic violence survivor services. Registration for the event is available at https://ywcaspokane.org/woa.
Veradale United Church of Christ vandal pleads guilty in court
Katherine S.N. Blycker, 23, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of harassment for her role in vandalizing Veradale United Church of Christ with an anti-gay message in June 2023. She was sentenced to two years of unsupervised probation and 40 hours of community service. Initially charged with a felony hate crime, Blycker is one of four young adults involved in the incident, which included the spray-painting of “Lev 2013” and the removal of Pride and Black Lives Matter flags. The other three co-defendants face trial next month. Blycker expressed regret, while Veradale pastor, the Rev. Gen Heywood, criticized the cultural environment that may have encouraged such actions.
Spokane’s MLK Jr. Day Celebration
Spokane residents will continue to celebrate the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy with more events leading up to the federal holiday. On Sunday, the Black Minister Alliance and MLK Center will hold a service at Holy Temple Church, 806 W. Indiana Ave., from 3-5 p.m., followed by a fireside chat with educator Jaime Stacy. The annual march, rally and resource fair will take place Monday at the Spokane Convention Center, featuring community leaders and a “teach-in” by Gonzaga University, from 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. More info here.
New House Bill seeks expansion of hate crime laws
Several Washington House Democrats are sponsoring HB 1052, which seeks to expand the state’s hate crime laws to include offenses based on the perpetrator’s perception of a victim’s characteristics, even if incorrect. The bill aims to strengthen protections for marginalized communities by recognizing bias-motivated crimes. It clarifies that hate crimes can occur based on perceived characteristics like race or religion, addressing harm caused by biased assumptions. Supporters argue the law will help prosecute such offenses more effectively and send a clear message against prejudice-driven violence.
Some summaries created with help of AI. Staff still carefully edited material for content quality and publication standards.
