September 2022 Updates

Sept. 23, 2022 Saint Augustine writes in his Confessions, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”

I’m restless as I hear of another unsheltered neighbor dying behind a Walmart only 1 day after discharge from an area hospital. 

Updates this week: 

• Kitsap county: 50 people displaced after an arsonist set fire to a motel in Bremerton: https://www.q13fox.com/news/many-seeking-medical-attention-after-bremerton-motel-fire Please continue to pray for the HEART director and his team as they try to relocate these individuals.
• Central/Downtown Pierce County: Medical Respite Nurses provided footcare yesterday to unsheltered residents at Tacoma Rescue Mission and identified one resident who averted going to the ER by referring him to Sea Mar for care. 
• East Pierce County: Cornerstone Hospice/Respite has recently opened up as a potential option for the unsheltered residents at the end of life. This facility is in Graham. Donations are appreciated. Inquiries? Send messages to andepaa12@msn.com. Note: Referrals need to come from a hospital or program that can compensate for care. 
• West Pierce Couny: Options for housing in east Pierce County can be sought out through Westwynd motel and apartments are located in Purdy. Monthly nightly and extended motel options are available and there are apartments, full housekeeping services. Frequently booked, but worth a try if you find someone desperate for housing. See below for information: www.westwyndmotelandapartments.com "Michelle" is the Office Manager, 253-857-4047 Prayers continue to be needed as there are many caring for the medical & shelter needs of our unsheltered neighbors. 
•  Sept. 29, 2022 Pierce County: Medical Reserve Corps Nurses have started a free clinic,serving the unsheltered within the encampments and Tacoma Rescue Shelter, providing assessments and foot care. In the two weeks that MRC nurses have been providing care, it is evident that the unsheltered residents are incredibly appreciative of nurses coming to them to care for them and this intervention has already been proactive in preventing hospitalizations and worsening conditions. Any nurse or student interested in helping can join as a MRC volunteer through this website: http://piercecountymrc.org/t

There is training, continuing education, and malpractice insurance available, but registering to be a MRC volunteer is the first step. Additional plans are in the works for a future wound care clinic at TRM, manned by Pacific Lutheran University nursing students and St. Joseph Hospital wound care clinic. 

Sixteen unsheltered persons were provided foot care in the past two weeks at the inaugural foot care clinic at TRM which will continue every Thursday from 9-11:30 am through December. We continue to hear of unsheltered residents losing housing after serious accidents hospitalize them, leaving them homeless and challenged to find a safe place to live while medically recuperating. 

An example: One 63 year old gentleman broke his back following a fall and was discharged (while still wheelchair-bound) when he lost his housing and became homeless for the first time in his life. Recently widowed, he had no support to advocate for him. He continues to wait for options and feels fortunate for the Tacoma Rescue Mission's men's shelter, but would like "just a room" to call his own. He has a little over $1200/month in income, but the housing market is competitive and case workers are inundated with requests. Could Westwynd apartments be an option for this gentleman?? Any suggestions can be provided here. TRM's women's shelter remains very well received as well: one young woman, awaiting housing, bragged about the kindness of the staff and the new bunk beds that can house up to 90 women at a time. Thank you again, TRM and all who daily continue to support our unhoused community! 

Kitsap County: The HEART team remains vigilant as elderly patients, some in their 70's and 80's,diagnosed with dementia and weakness requiring wheelchair assistance, risk being discharged to hotels and shelters post hospitalization. Continue to pray for the efforts of all the outreach workers in both counties as they lend support one person at a time in an overwhelming situation. As the fall nights become darker and colder, please continue to pray for protection and unity in our efforts to provide solutions and medical care to our unsheltered neighbors. Thank you again everyone! Keep up the great work and prayers most of all!

Housing Affordability & Sanctuary Cities

For your information: Wonder why housing is so challenging these days? https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/03/23/key-facts-about-housing-affordability-in-the-u-s/ What does being a "sanctuary city or state" mean? Washington State is a "sanctuary" state: https://ballotpedia.org/Sanctuary_jurisdiction_policies_by_state#Washington

September 2, 2022 Encampment Update (Pierce County)

Medical outreach continues despite the "official" end of the Medical Respite Steering Committee encampment assessment in July. Updates will continue to be provided as informational only and for the purpose of continued prayer for outreach workers and unsheltered individuals alike. Homeless outreach workers from Tacoma Rescue Mission (TRM), Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)/Tacoma Pierce County Public Health department (TPCHD), Pierce County Human Services (PCHS), Comprehensive Life Resources (CLR), Kitsap HEART team, Community Healthcare (CHC), Greater Lakes & others continue to reach out EVERY DAY as needed when needs arise among the residents living unsheltered in Pierce and Kitsap counties. KITSAP COUNTY: There has been no additional known need in Kitsap County. The Kitsap HEART team remains vigilant and responsive to the needs within their community, but if anyone in that area notices additional needs related to medical issues among persons living unsheltered, please post requests here. PIERCE COUNTY: Continued prayers needed for a woman of Hispanic descent who fracture her right ankle last week. She did not follow up with the Emergency Room as encouraged. It is a scary situation for those living unsheltered who do not speak English and are from outside the United States. Please keep this woman in your prayers for healing. Continue to also pray for the 60 year old wheelchair-dependent male with one leg who is on dialysis three times a week. (He was the person who received the electric wheelchair a couple weeks ago when his WC was stolen). I spoke with the dialysis center social worker who has been working with him today. Continue to pray for housing situation. Although he found a house to live in, with trusted roommates, the house is inconveniently located a greater distance away from his dialysis center which makes it more challenging for him to get to his appointments. A 65 year old male was seen today for lower wound infection from a formerly-fractured leg secondary to being hit by a motor vehicle. The infected wound was cleansed and wrapped with instructions to return to the area free standing MultiCare ER on Pacific Avenue nearest the encampment. He appears to need antibiotics at the very least. He is alert and oriented and able to ambulate with a walker and has several encampment neighbors who showed concern for him. TRM will be following up with him again next week. A second male reported a burn on his lower shin; manuka honey ointment was provided. Medical Reserve Corps Nurses are currently forming a medical street outreach group to continue to provide first aid as needed to our vulnerable neighbors living unsheltered. Thank you to all who continue to remain committed to providing compassionate medical care to those living unsheltered on the streets of Pierce & Kitsap counties.