Director, co-founder of Olympia SideWalk nonprofit announces plans to step down
Phil Owen, the co-founder and executive director of the housing advocacy nonprofit SideWalk, has announced his plans to step down from his position and leave Thurston County.
In an email sent to the public, Owen said he is moving closer to his family on the East Coast and plans to be there by the end of the summer, but a specific date hasn’t been set.
“I’m looking forward to chasing my brother’s adorable children around his house, to having dinner with my mother, and to exploring all the possibilities that the future holds,” he said.
Owen said the nonprofit organization’s board of directors has begun its search for a new executive director, and he will serve as co-director alongside the new executive to ensure a smooth transition. SideWalk’s services will not be interrupted.
In an interview with The Olympian, Owen said he grew up outside of Yelm and has been in the area his whole life. Last summer he moved his mother out east to be closer to Owen’s brother and his family. He said the COVID-19 pandemic helped clarify for him that family is a necessity and that he needed to move closer to them.
He said he’s not sure what career adventures lie ahead, but SideWalk’s mission of ending homelessness is central to his life.
According to SideWalk’s website, Owen — who himself faced homelessness as a teenager — has worked in homeless social services in Thurston County for almost 20 years. He also served as a live-in volunteer at a Catholic Worker house for 10 years helping people experiencing homelessness.
Owen also co-chaired the 2018 campaign for the city of Olympia’s Home Fund, an initiative to build permanent supportive housing in Olympia.
Throughout its 10 years, SideWalk has been supported by more than 400 volunteers and has helped 1,800 people to move into some form of housing, according to the nonprofit.
In his email, Owen thanked those who have donated to SideWalk throughout the years, saying their encouragement and support has kept him on his feet through tough times.
“It has been a privilege of a lifetime to serve this community alongside you,” he said.
This story was originally published March 8, 2022 at 1:42 PM.
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