Fall 2018 Update & Community Service Resources

Arise! Is still active, but has had to slow down due to the founder returning to school to learn about systems' changes through a local Doctorate of Nursing Program in Population Health. After several years of being involved in many community outreach opportunities, including the time since Arise!'s conception, it is very clear nurses and others who are motivated to reach populations at a more effective level need to be encouraged to learn more about the systems in place (or those that are not in place) to care for the most vulnerable populations within our community. The foot clinic has been put on-hold considering lack of interest and multiple changes within management of the two senior assisted living facilities as well as time constraints of the founder returning to school.

Arise! on its own continues to make small dents in meeting the needs of the community and recently received a large donation of medical supplies that was taken to Nativity House where a Respite Program has been started to help care for the sickest in our community: the homeless chronically-ill.

See updated inventory list for donated supplies:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SX7BA5RGuKLg41PaI8NuMKjOHk1_xBupg1gY25gh2ag/edit#gid=0

 Donations continue to be welcome and encouraged. Wherever there is a need, Arise! will find a place for any donations provided.

Arise! will also continue to serve within the NH Respite Program in an effort to ensure there is medical follow up with those vulnerable homeless populations discharged from the local hospitals without homes or support to heal. The Respite program serves only those homeless individuals referred from two local hospitals who are self-sufficient. Additional service opportunities continue to Arise! Several organizations remain involved and committed to serving the healthcare of the neediest individuals within our community and state:

"Provider Fridays" regularly meet at the Salvation Army from 9-11am weekly. Address: 1521 6th Ave. Tacoma, WA 98405 (253) 627-3962. Many community organizations come together to share resources and disseminate information to each other in an effort to meet ongoing needs within the community.

King County continues to come up with unique ways to meet the growing healthcare needs of our community* See some examples, below:

https://www.virginiamason.org/bailey-boushay
https://www.uwmedicine.org/locations/respite-program-jefferson-terrace

*Systems such as these continue to need assessment and evaluation so these posted solutions are not perfect, but they are a start.

It is always encouraged for those interested to continue to seek out unique opportunities and solutions if interested in helping those less fortunate. As always, any donation needs are welcome to be posted here. Currently, all donations have been distributed, but if there is interest in donating items, these can be posted here as well. Thanks to all who have participated in the past and may participate in the future.

August 2018: Community Service (Senior Foot Care)

Two wonderful opportunities presented themselves this month: Disciples Terrace Foot Care was graced with a certified nail technician, Michelle, who provided both manicures and pedicures for four senior residents this month. This free service continues to be very much appreciated every month.

Nursing students, please contact:

*arisepc2017@gmail.com or include a post request here if interested in becoming a part of this service
 opportunity

And back, by popular demand, was a second nutrition class at the Chinese Christian Church.

*See link for highlights:

而根据大众需求，这是中国基督教会的第二个营养课。

*请参阅亮点链接：

https://wx.xiaoniangao.cn/share/album.html?lid=BIID3.BQl19z.BhDN&s_m=18907383&fr_om=out&detailUV=505&from=groupmessage&isappinstalled=0

July 2018: Community Service - Central Lutheran, Seattle/ Chinese Christian Church, Tacoma

Arise! of Pierce County! continues to participate in events throughout the NW community:

In addition to continuing various collections and deliveries, community members were touched by going out into the community directly and serving in various ways.

Highlights include:

Arise! of Pierce County! served alongside members from Mercer Island Middle School Summer Camp, Peninsula Lutheran Church, Community Lunch staff  and various other
volunteers to serve lunch to 230 individuals during the third week of July at Central Lutheran church on Capital Hill.


Community Lunch is a program that continues year-round serving meals and providing fellowship to the homeless populations in the Seattle area at area churches. Volunteers are always welcome and can contact them directly for opportunities to help from serving lunches to providing donated items.
See Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tENUQckDFaI&feature=youtu.be

A nutrition class was held at Chinese Christian Church per the recommendation of a member who is involved in the foot cleaning clinic at Disciples Terrace. 11 church members attended and invited Arise! of Pierce County back in August for "Part 2: Nutrition in the Kitchen-cooking with herbs."

Monthly foot care clinic, held at Disciples Terrace, remains on the schedule later in August as well. Contact arisepc2017@gmail.com if interested in any events or have any suggestions for service projects. 
Posts are welcome here as well.

July 2018 Community Service Update

Footcare continues once a month throughout the summer at Disciples Terrace with a fairly regular group of 6-8 residents. An occasional student shows up as one did today which is always welcome as the group of elderly residents often enjoys imparting bits of wisdom to newly-trained student nurses. Fellowship with these residents is greatly appreciated considering many of them don't often get regular visitors.

Donated supplies were cleared out and dispersed to Tacoma Community College Childcare Center, Lutheran World Relief; the medical clinic & orphanage in Vicente Guerrero, Mexico & Catholic Community Services. Please see updated charitable giving list for additional information: 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sLed0-A6McwaZ4IpvDjUBW3O7HfEeNmA5wu9_Rvku5U/edit#gid=0

No donations available right now, but anyone interested in donations of any kind, please email:

arisepc2017@gmail.com or post on this blog. Communication regarding pick up & drop off of
donations will be arranged through email. 

*If donations are needed, please post here for requests. The intent of this blog is to 
serve as a way to communicate needs and distribute items to populations
within the community who are in need.

The footcare clinic could use more donations of gloves, basin liners, paper towels, hand sanitizer for the continued service to low-income seniors. Monetary donations are not being accepted at this time until a 509 status is established. Please email arisepc2017@gmail.com to arrange for drop-off/pick up of donated supplies.

Additional service opportunities in Seattle food kitchens and a nutrition inservice will be provided in 2 weeks at a local church. Anyone interested in details or wish to assist are directed to the following website: https://www.communitylunch.org/volunteer/

May/June 2018 Community Service Update (Foot Care-Tahoma Vista Village)

Community Service continues for Arise! Of Pierce County.

• Collections of shoes, socks and medical supplies continue to be distributed on an as-needed basis and foot care continues at Disciples Terrace throughout the summer on a once/month basis. 
• Updated inventory list to follow once deliveries have been made (plans to deliver by end of June)
• A meditation exercise was attempted at Tahoma Vista village as well as education on healthy lifestyle habits, such as ways to reduce stress and lower blood pressure. Residents continue to move in and out of renovated units and plans are to take a sabbatical from any presentations until October once all remodeling has been completed and residents are moved back into their units. It was agreed that this year was one of learning and growth that can continue once school is back in session. Schedule of events to follow at a later date and time.
• Disciples Terrace foot care clinic has continued to gain momentum and foot washing will continue throughout the summer due to significant participation and interest. Nursing students welcome.

• Various 'ad hoc' community activities around the Pierce and King County areas will continue throughout the summer. Potential activities include visits to Tacoma Rescue Mission, St. Leo's food kitchen, Fish Food Bank, Nativity House and possibly orientation to King or Pierce County Mobile Medical Clinic(s). 
• Arise! Of Pierce County encourages community service at all levels from starting collections for the homeless and refugee populations to volunteering at free, neighborhood clinics. Please see resources below for additional information.

• Resources:
• http://www.neighborhoodclinictacoma.org/
•  https://www.nhchc.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/mobilehealth.pdf
• https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/locations/homeless-health/mobile-medical-care.aspx
• https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/locations/homeless-health/~/media/depts/health/homeless-health/mobile-medical-care/documents/June-2018-Mobile-Medical-Schedule-EN.ashx

April 2018- Community Service Update (Tahoma Vista Village)

• Events this month included continued Foot Care at Disciples Terrace where 5-6 residents were provided foot washing, inspections and continued education by TCC nursing. Continued collections are being received periodically and distributed as needs Arise! Arise! just received several pairs of socks that will be distributed this month.

• A second service opportunity was provided to Tahoma Vista Village residents where medication education and blood pressure checks were completed. Tahoma Vista Village residents continue to be in the process of remodeling which has been challenging given the additional responsibilities of the Activity Coordinator and residents packing up and moving to temporary housing. Schedules and remodeled buildings should be complete by fall so Arise! may take a break for the summer.

• Plans for May & June include continued Foot Care for Disciples Terrace and one last presentation (until fall) on Senior Safety for Tahoma Vista Village residents. Collections for foot care, shoes, socks, personal items are always welcome. Additional service opportunities include serving the Tacoma/Seattle area homeless populations this summer. As events Arise! they will be posted.

March 2018-Community Service Update (Foot Care & Collections)

It has been another busy month for Arise! of Pierce County. We met with several seniors from both Tahoma Vista Village and Disciples Terrace for a resource session and an inaugural foot care clinic for which Arise! was first inspired. It has taken over a year, but we were prepared to meet this need when it arose--and when it did, Arise! was prepared for it--and feedback has been extremely positive. Enthusiasm is growing for the service opportunities being provided to those in our community and Arise! continues to receive more inquiries every month. Ongoing collections continue for personal items, shoes/socks, feminine products and miscellaneous items as requests Arise! in our community.

Tahoma Vista Village: 

Transportation appears to be the most needed resource as well as assistance with moving seniors in and out of Tahoma Vista Village apartments during the next 6 months as Tahoma Vista receives a new remodel of the senior apartment units. Some residents are struggling with simply unpacking items during the move and assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Residents verbalized concern over transportation to and from their temporary residence, to going to the grocery store, church, and medical appointments. The director acknowledges the challenges with resources does not seem to be a lack of resources, but a willingness of residents to be flexible with the resources being provided. However, the one resource that is a constant need is transportation. Catholic Community Services was contacted as they provide free transportation through "2-1-1" (https://win211.org/) which is a resources that provides information on a variety of services beyond transportation which the residents were able to access with the help of Arise! and their service coordinator at Tahoma Vista Village. Looking at continuing to provide fellowship to these low income seniors and may consider BP checks, short companion-walks outside (weather-permitting) for the next April & May meetings considering the recreational facility is still under construction and the feasibility of formal 'presentations' is not available at this time. Regardless, visiting these residents appears to be therapeutic, according to the service coordinator and TCC students continue to be encouraged to participate as they are able.

Disciples Terrace:

With the overwhelming support of residents and activity director, the introductory foot care clinic was initiated this month. A handful of residents took advantage of free cleaning, inspection and massage of their well-worn feet. The response was overwhelmingly positive and we hope to expand this service as more volunteers come forward and residents are made aware. Disciples Terrace is seeking a new activities coordinator, but currently the management supports the return of the foot care clinic in April and May. Residents are referred as needed to the podiatrist and continued education and certification will be planned for volunteers choosing to regularly participate in this service.

Catholic Community Service:

CCS received a wonderful donation of 6 adult and 2 children's shoes which were greatly appreciated during this time of year when rain is typically in the forecast. CCS continues to welcome any donation of shoes at all times of the year and donations can be dropped off either at Tacoma Community College or at the CCS office located at: 5410 N. 44th St.Tacoma, WA 98407

For more information, please see: http://ccsww.org/

Current inventory has been updated as follows:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SX7BA5RGuKLg41PaI8NuMKjOHk1_xBupg1gY25gh2ag/edit#gid=0

*If there are any needs for any of these items, please post here. Looking for a medical mission for many of the medical supplies we now have in stock. Please post suggestions for possible donation sites.

As always, Arise! is grateful for the opportunity to serve and hope this blog site continues to be a source of communication for all interested in assisting with any additional service opportunities or needs that Arise!

Feb. 2018 Community Service Update

Arise! of PC continues to serve the community of Tahoma Vista Village and Disciples Terrace low-income seniors. Topics this month included Grief & Loss and Nutrition, each session was attended by a total of 11 elderly guests.

Next service activities will include Community Resources for Seniors & Foot Washing & Inspection 1-2 times/month. A board-certified podiatrist has joined Arise! and is currently offering foot care follow-up every 2nd & 4th Saturdays of each month.

Community resource networking continues with attendance at a Trauma & Resiliency Conference (presented by Bastyr University Graduate Students) held at St. James Cathedral in Seattle, Washington this month. Additional Mental Health resources were also obtained from the Parish Mental Health Nurse from St. James Cathedral.

Examples of services and activities being offered at St. James include: "Cathedral Kitchen" (Monday-Friday 3:30-5:30); Free Foot care being provided by King County Reserve Corp every last Wednesday of the month (12:30-3PM) Mental Health Chaplaincy Training; Art Therapy held every 2nd & 4th Thursday (noon-2PM); and "Ministry of Presence" to guests attending any of these activities. Outreach goals of service are similar to Arise! and hope to bridge gaps in knowledge, care, and fellowship between low income seniors, mentally ill and homeless populations.

Collections of personal hygiene items and socks/shoes is ongoing and distributed as needed to various organizations, such as Catholic Community Services, Lutheran World Relief, Nativity House, Sea-Mar Medical clinics, & requesting organizations on a as-needed basis.

Please keep donations coming and post any needs here as they "Arise!"

January 2018 Update

Welcome to the New Year! January 2018

ARISE! of Pierce County 2017January 11, 2018 at 10:43 AM

Arise! continues to receive donations of personal items, such as feminine products and travel size soaps & shampoos from the community at Tacoma Community College. Many feminine products, in return, have been donated to the TCC Child Care center per request from the TCC director for students on campus who are struggling with meeting basic needs while attending school and caring for their families. Disciples Terrace was presented with self-care topic on exercise for seniors with information taken from the National Institute on Aging and American Heart Association to promote healthy BP and mobility on Jan 4, 2018. Footcare still an overwhelming need and steps continue to be taken to find resources to meet this request. Tahoma Vista Village residents visited Jan 10 and presented with topic on Healthy Meals where residents were instructed on resources, such as Choose my Plate & National Institute on Aging Nutritional guidelines. Additional information can be found on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1375240652528170/

Arise! of Pierce County remains 'passively' active and will continue to accept donations as needs ARISE! (Currently serving the community on an as needed basis). Monthly supportive & education activities currently being offered one to two times a month to our Pierce County low income senior citizens at Tahoma Vista Village & Disciples Terrace.