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!"