August 2022 Pierce County Encampment Update

Please note: formerly published blogs entitled "ARISE! of Pierce County 2017" (Prior to August 2022) has been updated to reflect the expanding communities being served. [Now known as "ARISE Pierce & Kitsap Counties of Washington State," this blog will continue to reflect the service being provided to our most vulberable neighbors in the neighboring counties of Pierce and Kitsap. The focus of this blog is to provide an outlet and record of advocacy and education on the needs of vulnerable neighbors in our midst and encouragement to those being served and providing service.] Even though encampment vist reports have slowed down a bit, there is still a lot going on--and some good news for a change! Read on: The 60 year old wheelchair-bound male diagnosed with kidney failure remains on dialysis three times a week. He was moved from a safe parking site (SPS) due to not having a vehicle, but remains living close by the SPS in a tent. Comprehensive Life Resources (CLR) continues to stay in touch with him in an effort to get him emergency housing. He was provided a donated wheelchair through New Hope after his wheelchair was stolen. Thank you to Paula (New Hope) for providing the donated WC! Tacoma Rescue Mission (TRM) outreach continues to be alert for medical needs within their outreach areas and has continued to notify me of these needs in the field. The elderly couple that was being followed a couple weeks ago are now off the streets! The gentleman broke his hip and is on hospice; his female companion is being cared for by her family. One of the males with lice was treated and TRM employees were able to get him a shower and haircut which was "one of the best days of his life" (per his perspective). Thank you, TRM workers! The female with the cats was able to get a friend to tow her vehicle to a safer location and it sounds as if she is living with a friend. The kittens and cats were alive the last time we checked in with her. Her male significant other remains incarcerated. Today there were two encampment visits where medical needs were identified: (1) One male with a large wound could not be found; (2) a female Hispanic woman appeared to have a broken or sprained leg and was advised to be evaluated at the hospital. Contact was made with MSW Keith at St. Joe's should she show up in the ER as she was advised. 15 & G encampment is rumored to be swept in the near future; neighbors report that the area remains unsafe which may be one of the reasons for the rumored sweep. There will always be an urgent need to continue to pray for our unsheltered neighbors. Encampments are not decreasing in size nor are they going away as we would hope. Advocacy continues through concerted efforts of many individuals and groups.