April 16, 2022 Veterans Park Homeless Encampment Visit

As the anticipated Veterans Park Memorial Park sweep draws closer, anxiety is increasing among many regarding the future for the residents of the Veteran's Park. Four volunteers ventured out into the inclement weather to survey the campers of services offered by Kitsap county public health officials prior to the scheduled camp sweep in 2 weeks. 

A new representative from Living Experience Coalition (LEC), "Jay" joined us this week to provide expertise and consultation related to the dynamics of living unsheltered. Goal is to continue to reach out to our unsheltered residents and offer help according to what they need--not what we think that they might need. Information on the Lived Experience Coalition can be found: https://www.facebook.com/WeAreLEC/

Surveys were distributed by NW Hospitality director, Anton Preisinger, and a few items, like socks, emergency blankets and batteries were handed out to some of the campers in the park. No medical care was accepted, despite hearing of one 62 year old male with a walker who fell and another woman who complained of issues with her feet; another accepted a COVID test kit when it was learned that he was not vaccinated. Education was provided on COVID vaccinations and he was encouraged to consider getting a COVID injection. 

Additional Social Determinants contribute to the barriers for these residents: Some living in the park have been employed or are actively seeking jobs, but circumstances are barriers to day to day living: One young man, who was also a father, was trying to fix his motorcycle so he could have reliable transportation--he had been a reliable worker despite living unsheltered until his motorcycle broke down; two women told us of their car being broken into or stolen this week. Unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances contribute to challenges experienced by our unsheltered neighbors.

Approximately 15 people were counted, but many of the residents who have previously camped in the park have appeared to have packed up and left or were not found in their encampments. Encampment residents will continue to be visited weekly and hopefully will be supported regardless of where they end up. The expectation is many of these campers will end up unsheltered somewhere else due to no feasible plan in place to shelter them. 

Anyone interested in joining can plan on joining next Saturday at 2:30 pm at Veterans Park in Port Orchard (Kitsap County). Please connect via arisepc2017@gmail.com if interested.

April 9, 2022: Port Orchard's Veteran's Park Encampment Visit

Met with NW Hospitality Director Anton Preisinger to 'round' on the Port Orchard Veteran's Park encampment.  Anton and I were able to visit 14 people (7 of whom were women) in two hours. There were more that I was unable to visit due to time constraints. The encampment residents were forewarned of the upcoming encampment "sweep" scheduled on April 22 (https://www.kitsapdailynews.com/news/homeless-encampments-to-be-removed-by-end-of-april/) and some were provided some supplies/goods such as cellphones, batteries, garbage bags and light medical care: cleansing and dressing of wounds & assessment of a contusion. There was an additional outreach worker collecting sharps containers and exchanging sharps. 'Damage control' of infectious waste (needles) and potential for STDs (condoms) were also provided. There's a need for garbage clean up as there were some camps left abandoned throughout the park. 

It is overwhelming to see the tremendous need as well as the humility of our unsheltered neighbors accepting the little being offered (or not accepting anything at all), and the gratitude expressed when they are not forgotten. NW hospitality director, Anton Preisinger's efforts has built sincere trust in the forgotten few in our community which is commendable. I encourage anyone interested in joining his efforts to connect through NW hospitality or via the Arise of Pierce County 2017 email.

(Check out NW hospitality blog: https://www.nwhospitality.org/justonemeal/magnet-theory-response or  email arisepc2017@gmail.com).

Additional resources if interested in what's going on in Kitsap county related to homeless ordinances:

https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/KitsapCounty/html/Kitsap17/Kitsap17505.html

https://www.kitsapgov.com/BOC_p/Homes%20for%20All%20Documents/FAQ%20%2008%2028%2018.pdf

https://www.kitsapdailynews.com/news/city-council-passes-temporary-homeless-encampment-ordinance/

https://www.kitsapdailynews.com/news/upset-by-inaction-putaansuu-threatens-to-take-kitsap-county-to-court/

https://www.kitsapgov.com/dcd/PEP%20Documents/All%20Public%20Comments%20Received%201.24.22-2.21.222.pdf

No answer in sight: As one can see if they review these resources, there exists conflict between allowing for homeless encampments sites in the midst of lack of unaffordable housing in the area (per Kitsap county). There is the desire to ensure safety for the residents of Port Orchard, but the city's Mayor has little influence except through the court system, according to the article. The Veteran's Park, run by the county, sits within Port Orchard city limits. The Mayor of Port Orchard cannot enforce eviction since the county makes the rules for the park and the county has allowed concessions for the encampment residents until a proposed shelter is built.  A shelter run by Kitsap County Rescue Mission has been in the planning phases, but has not been built yet which would provide a place for encampment residents to go v. remaining outside. Meanwhile, encampment residents remain amongst reports of pest infestations (rats, squirrels and rabbits) in need of basic needs. I cannot confirm that drug use is occurring, but sharps containers are being used. I cannot confirm that "100" residents live in the park, as the article suggested, above. Typically (per Anton, and my observance), the number is under 20 residents, a few of whom are moving onto to other places as we surveyed the park yesterday. These individuals are fearful, angry, ashamed, want to remain hidden and undisturbed. City residents also are upset, unable to safely use a park that was established for all in the community. 

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