November 15, 2022 Update

We welcome & encourage the following partners to our efforts to care and serve our unsheltered neighbors. Please offer prayers for these additional individuals and their organizations who daily serve our community's most vulnerable neighbors: Update from Kitsap County & NW Hospitality's Annual Fundraiser, held Nov. 4: 60+ fantastic supporters were able to join Anton and NW Hospitality for a fantastic party. Together, through all the planning and buildup, they raised $18,175.22 of their $25,000 goal and it’s not too late to donate to get us even closer! 

• Update from Pierce County: Ideal Option 
• https://my.idealoption.org/recovery-starts-here/?utm_source=G_S_B_WesternWA&campaignid=10097137430&adgroupid=101495901036&adid=522203714545&gclid=CjwKCAiA68ebBhB-EiwALVC-
• Rebekah has continued to search for and get women at risk off the street and into recovery. Sometimes she finds others in need: This week, please pray for a gentleman ("Mark") who was living in the area of 152nd & Pacific and was unable to walk due to swollen, wounded lower extremities. He was asked to "move" despite his health challenges and declined medical services at a healthcare facility as many frequently do. We have not been able to locate him since Wednesday, Nov. 9 and our hope is he reconsidered seeking services in a healthcare center and may be receiving care there now.
• Brotherhood RISE, located on 23rd & MLK in Tacoma, directed by Gerald Daniels. Brotherhood RISE serves the community of Hilltop through the provision of meals, services, and support. (https://www.risecenterofhilltop.org/). Another gentleman who has been chronically homeless, confined also to a wheelchair and weakening was discovered by Brotherhood RISE caseworkers and later transferred to a facility where shelter was provided; no "on street" care was provided because care was provided through another service provider. 
• Spanaway United Methodist (http://spanawayumc.com/) Pastor Samara Jenkins and husband Antwone serve our most vulnerable neighbors in the Spanaway and Parkland areas. We had a scare this week when Sheryl (of Comprehensive Life Resources) reached out to me and our Parkland Davita social worker, Shelby, when our homeless dialysis wheelchair-bound gentleman (Jorge) had "gone missing." We found him "alive and well" at Pastor' Samara's United Methodist church. He had been robbed again (which included his cell phone so no contact was able to be made with him), but was in good spirits and physically appeared to be improving as he reported his kidneys were "working again" (cannot confirm this, but it was great to hear he was feeling better and safe within the church's shelter). Additionally, we also learned that Pastor Samara has been able to provide shelter for 12 other individuals, 7 of whom were children in addition to Jorge within her church! 

These organizations know the personal stories of many who are living on our streets and I ask that you continue to pray for them and others serving now especially as our weather changes and it becomes cold and dark.  Pierce County officials are also combining efforts to alert advocates such as Rebeckah, Gerald, Samara, Antwon, and other case workers of inclement weather which increases the safety and health risks to our unsheltered neighbors. Through this organized, systematic approach AND your prayers, the three examples noted above have been able to have needs met in impossible circumstances. Please don't stop prayer intentions for all of those--known and unknown--on the street and for those committed to serve them as well. This work takes its toll and there are workers right now who need direct prayers for healthy minds and bodies to continue to serve. Please don't stop praying. God listens and responds!