Weekly Encampment Update (Pierce County): July 28-29

Volunteers and caseworkers continue to circulate encampments and unsheltered individuals throughout Pierce County distributing water and various items as needed this week as the weather heated up.  Highlights include: Partnered with the Tacoma Rescue Mission this week. Several individuals were in need of medical care and consultation which included lice infestation, wounds, heat exhaustion, failure to thrive and coordinating efforts to get various individuals to medical clinics for evaluation and housing for those who were open to this option.Lice treatment kits were provided to two males with instructions on use. They may end up transporting to the ER as their investation may be full body.A lone female recently discharged from a healthcare setting was found nearby. She had been treated for a head laceration. Resources were provided as she declined services at the time of contact. She was alert and slightly confused, but able to make her own choices; she was encouraged to come to the TRM women's shelter.AMR ambulance successfully transported an elderly, frail female to Sea Mar Community Clinic after weeks of encouragement from street outreach workers. Her WC-bound husband declined services and left the encampment during a brief altercation with this same woman.Three males were roused from sleep when found to be at risk for potential heat stroke--all were grateful for the water, ice and cool rags provided to them as they had fallen asleep either in a car or on the hot pavement in a parking lot. Wound care provided for lower extremity cellulitis to one of them.Coordination efforts health & safety for a young male suffering from a brain injury. He was found wearing a helmet and a very heavy coat. He was showing signs of overheating and talking in a rapid stream of consciousness, but was able to take in hydration when offered. Paramedics were called for further assessment.A lone female in her mid 30's or 40's required assistance as she cared for 4 newly born kittens and 2 adult cats in her very hot, broken down car. Water, cool rags, battery-powered fans, snacks, cat food and gas were provided to her by volunteers outside of TRM. She was alert & oriented and had enough gas to move to a cooler location if she chose to do so. Declined safe parking, cooling center, or shelter as she was waiting for the return of her significant other.Several encamped residents in another camp were recently given notice to vacate the private wooded area where they were staying. One young woman required wound care for several infected, scabbed over wounds on her hands and legs. She was encouraged to go to a clinic, but had limited knowledge of resources to go to a clinic. Encourage her to come to the Tacoma Rescue Mission women's shelter. She had minimal clothes. Clothes were provided to her.Coordination efforts continued as the 60 year old WC bound male on dialysis remains unhoused in the Parkland/Spanaway area. His dialysis clinic was contacted and will be helping him with paperwork so he can hopefully get into housing soon. Comprehensive Life Resources has been a huge help with these efforts.Sadly, there were continued incidents of violence and losses this week. Shots were heard while at one of the encampments visited this week and police were notified. An encampment resident reported there were "7 violent deaths of friends he knew" in this same encampment this year alone. A driver in a different encampment was shot by the passenger in the same car. [The 34 year old, WC bound, incontinent female who we have been checking on could not be visited due to the perceived safety risks in the encampment where the driver was shot--it is unknown how she is at this time] It was reported that another encampment experienced the injury of a female trapped under a van and was hospitalized during an altercation that occured between two malesThe death of an ailing 40+ year old unhoused woman at the back of a church occurred a couple weeks ago after she reportedly lost housing 3 weeks prior to her death. Church workers had been caring for her as best they could prior to her experiencing a fall that led to her death.Kitsap County also had a homeless male who was in a wheelchair and was wearing a cervical collar, "wanting to die." Per HEART director: "He said that he 'broke his neck two months prior in a car accident.' He had left the hospital AMA and despite the pain wasn’t trying to go back to the hospital. His arm looked infected" and even when the HEART team got him to the hospital, he refused to enter and went to a cooling center instead.Many things to pray for when you review the happenings of this week. And this was only 1 day of many for our hard working street outreach workers and healthcare providers. Please pray for solutions, protection, and compassion as we reach out to others who are on our streets, vulnerable and at risk. Many are doing the work that needs to be done and everyone who is helping is making a difference. Processes continue to be refined and evaluated for improvement through this summer's data collection. Some resources that may be beneficial to review are included here;Washington State Legislature on Respite Care: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=74.41&full=trueTrauma Informed Care: https://nhchc.org/online-courses/trauma-informed-care-webinar-series/The importance of data collections:  https://nimrc-nhchc.talentlms.com/Stay safe out there and keep up the good work & especially the prayers!