April 2022: Medical Respite Brainstorming Session

Arise! met with NW Hospitality Founding Director (https://www.nwhospitality.org/) to discuss ways to partner with this organization to provide support to our unsheltered residents, specifically within Kitsap county. Goal: Meet with concerned community members (healthcare providers: podiatrist, nursing student, Psychiatric student) to brainstorm ideas on how to support the medical needs of our unsheltered residents. Outcome: starting small-starting with a phone tree of providers willing to be a resource to NW Hospitality as needs present themselves. Encouraging networking among each of us as needs arise. Looking for medical providers willing to provide a resource to NW Hospitality in the form of consultation for medical, mental, behavioral needs on a volunteer basis. Email arisepc2017@gmail.com if interested or ask to be added to our FaceBook page Arise Facebook Group.

March 2022 Update On Homeless Resources

 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. 

Winter 2019 UPDATE-Community Service Resources

In the midst of an historic winter storm, Nativity House and Catholic Community Services were blessed by the congregation of Peninsula Lutheran Church who provided many needed items for our homeless friends. See updated inventory list for the list of items that were so generously donated during the month of January:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SX7BA5RGuKLg41PaI8NuMKjOHk1_xBupg1gY25gh2ag/edit#gid=0

Donations of time and items are well received anytime of the year, but especially at this time where the days are dark, wet, and cold.

It's been wonderful that this community continues to reach out to those most in need.
Data continues to be gathered on those chronically and acutely ill individuals on the street in support of providing these individuals a place of Respite at Nativity House. The hope is healthcare for homeless individuals will remain sustainable which is a possibility.

For additional information on respite for homeless populations, please refer to:

https://www.nhchc.org/resources/clinical/medical-respite/

Exciting News in The Tacoma News Tribune (posted Feb 22)! 

Looks like the work being done at Nativity House is making an impact: See following article.

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article226634499.html

Fall 2018 Update & Community Service Resources

Arise! Is still active, but has had to slow down due to the founder returning to school to learn about systems' changes through a local Doctorate of Nursing Program in Population Health. After several years of being involved in many community outreach opportunities, including the time since Arise!'s conception, it is very clear nurses and others who are motivated to reach populations at a more effective level need to be encouraged to learn more about the systems in place (or those that are not in place) to care for the most vulnerable populations within our community. The foot clinic has been put on-hold considering lack of interest and multiple changes within management of the two senior assisted living facilities as well as time constraints of the founder returning to school.

Arise! on its own continues to make small dents in meeting the needs of the community and recently received a large donation of medical supplies that was taken to Nativity House where a Respite Program has been started to help care for the sickest in our community: the homeless chronically-ill.

See updated inventory list for donated supplies:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SX7BA5RGuKLg41PaI8NuMKjOHk1_xBupg1gY25gh2ag/edit#gid=0

 Donations continue to be welcome and encouraged. Wherever there is a need, Arise! will find a place for any donations provided.

Arise! will also continue to serve within the NH Respite Program in an effort to ensure there is medical follow up with those vulnerable homeless populations discharged from the local hospitals without homes or support to heal. The Respite program serves only those homeless individuals referred from two local hospitals who are self-sufficient. Additional service opportunities continue to Arise! Several organizations remain involved and committed to serving the healthcare of the neediest individuals within our community and state:

"Provider Fridays" regularly meet at the Salvation Army from 9-11am weekly. Address: 1521 6th Ave. Tacoma, WA 98405 (253) 627-3962. Many community organizations come together to share resources and disseminate information to each other in an effort to meet ongoing needs within the community.

King County continues to come up with unique ways to meet the growing healthcare needs of our community* See some examples, below:

https://www.virginiamason.org/bailey-boushay
https://www.uwmedicine.org/locations/respite-program-jefferson-terrace

*Systems such as these continue to need assessment and evaluation so these posted solutions are not perfect, but they are a start.

It is always encouraged for those interested to continue to seek out unique opportunities and solutions if interested in helping those less fortunate. As always, any donation needs are welcome to be posted here. Currently, all donations have been distributed, but if there is interest in donating items, these can be posted here as well. Thanks to all who have participated in the past and may participate in the future.

August 2018: Community Service (Senior Foot Care)

Two wonderful opportunities presented themselves this month: Disciples Terrace Foot Care was graced with a certified nail technician, Michelle, who provided both manicures and pedicures for four senior residents this month. This free service continues to be very much appreciated every month.

Nursing students, please contact:

*arisepc2017@gmail.com or include a post request here if interested in becoming a part of this service
 opportunity

And back, by popular demand, was a second nutrition class at the Chinese Christian Church.

*See link for highlights:

而根据大众需求，这是中国基督教会的第二个营养课。

*请参阅亮点链接：

https://wx.xiaoniangao.cn/share/album.html?lid=BIID3.BQl19z.BhDN&s_m=18907383&fr_om=out&detailUV=505&from=groupmessage&isappinstalled=0

July 2018: Community Service - Central Lutheran, Seattle/ Chinese Christian Church, Tacoma

Arise! of Pierce County! continues to participate in events throughout the NW community:

In addition to continuing various collections and deliveries, community members were touched by going out into the community directly and serving in various ways.

Highlights include:

Arise! of Pierce County! served alongside members from Mercer Island Middle School Summer Camp, Peninsula Lutheran Church, Community Lunch staff  and various other
volunteers to serve lunch to 230 individuals during the third week of July at Central Lutheran church on Capital Hill.


Community Lunch is a program that continues year-round serving meals and providing fellowship to the homeless populations in the Seattle area at area churches. Volunteers are always welcome and can contact them directly for opportunities to help from serving lunches to providing donated items.
See Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tENUQckDFaI&feature=youtu.be

A nutrition class was held at Chinese Christian Church per the recommendation of a member who is involved in the foot cleaning clinic at Disciples Terrace. 11 church members attended and invited Arise! of Pierce County back in August for "Part 2: Nutrition in the Kitchen-cooking with herbs."

Monthly foot care clinic, held at Disciples Terrace, remains on the schedule later in August as well. Contact arisepc2017@gmail.com if interested in any events or have any suggestions for service projects. 
Posts are welcome here as well.

July 2018 Community Service Update

Footcare continues once a month throughout the summer at Disciples Terrace with a fairly regular group of 6-8 residents. An occasional student shows up as one did today which is always welcome as the group of elderly residents often enjoys imparting bits of wisdom to newly-trained student nurses. Fellowship with these residents is greatly appreciated considering many of them don't often get regular visitors.

Donated supplies were cleared out and dispersed to Tacoma Community College Childcare Center, Lutheran World Relief; the medical clinic & orphanage in Vicente Guerrero, Mexico & Catholic Community Services. Please see updated charitable giving list for additional information: 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sLed0-A6McwaZ4IpvDjUBW3O7HfEeNmA5wu9_Rvku5U/edit#gid=0

No donations available right now, but anyone interested in donations of any kind, please email:

arisepc2017@gmail.com or post on this blog. Communication regarding pick up & drop off of
donations will be arranged through email. 

*If donations are needed, please post here for requests. The intent of this blog is to 
serve as a way to communicate needs and distribute items to populations
within the community who are in need.

The footcare clinic could use more donations of gloves, basin liners, paper towels, hand sanitizer for the continued service to low-income seniors. Monetary donations are not being accepted at this time until a 509 status is established. Please email arisepc2017@gmail.com to arrange for drop-off/pick up of donated supplies.

Additional service opportunities in Seattle food kitchens and a nutrition inservice will be provided in 2 weeks at a local church. Anyone interested in details or wish to assist are directed to the following website: https://www.communitylunch.org/volunteer/