March 2022
Much has happened since 2019 when activity on this blog site was interrupted by life events beyond COVID-19. Projects that have been completed over the past 3 years include a pilot program review of the Nativity House Medical Respite Program (still active), a proposal for Safe Parking Shelters (program continues), a Program Evaluation of a social-emotional learning program of elementary school children experiencing homelessness, a SWOT analysis of homelessness throughout Pierce County, and a proposal for a Medical Respite for unsheltered residents of Pierce County (ongoing planning). If anyone is interested in reviewing any of these presentations or proposals, please email arisepc2017@gmail.com
Efforts have been restarted to reorganize for additional medical respite programs for our unsheltered neighbors in Pierce and now, Kitsap Counties. Networking has begun to bring community partners and organizations together to create programs similar to the New Hope Resource Center's Medical Respite program which plans to open on April 1, 2022 in Pierce County. See their website at https://www.tnhrc.org/
Currently unsheltered residents are being provided safe parking at a community church in rural Puyallup where New Hope Resources provides additional support for unsheltered residents to leave homelessness. Many others are following the same safe parking model throughout other areas of Pierce County. Stay tuned for additional details.
Additional community resources can be discovered through the weekly meetings of the Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness, held on Fridays, from 9-11 am. See their website or join meetings via zoom for additional events and opportunities to serve in a variety of ways: https://www.pchomeless.org/
If you are on the west side of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, bi-monthly homeless coalition meetings are being held via zoom as well every other Thursday from 10-11 am. Information can be found at: http://www.pchomeless.org/Committees/Details?id=6
There are many organizations that have little time to advertise or market themselves, but it is critical that the public knows there are many people behind the scenes trying to care for our unsheltered individuals and eradicate homelessness. Homelessness continues to be a public health crisis and this issue involves everyone in some way. There are many ways to help. Refer to the listserv of the Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness & the GH Coalition to End Homelessness for ways you can either volunteer or provide donations to help end homelessness in our area.
