Shelter253 Goals - Martha Sheppard, Tacoma Salvation Army - sheppard@usw.salvationarmy.org
- Last Friday, as a result of this coalition. We started Shelter253 – it is a training program for volunteers to learn how to help in a shelter (or start a shelter), and now even more -
- 2 challenging tasks
- Provide safe shelter for everyone in need
- Connect people with the resources they need
- 5 no-compromise values
- Compassion – meet basic needs of people without judgement (it is helping the judgmental people that is a bit of a challenge –ed.)
- Empathy – share the healing message of “you are not alone”
- Respect – treat all people with dignity, respect, and with ethical standards
- Competence - using best practices in what we do
- Collaboration – involve the community, our faith, and the guests themselves
- We purposely have folks from all the shelters there – and the non-shelters that are out there, and new day shelters coming up
- Everyone should go to Coordinated Entry
- 3 bodacious goals (I thought for sure “bodacious” was a modern word, but a quick check of the OED shows it is from at least as far back as 1845. It did have a relatively recent resurgence, often attributed to the under-appreciated cinematic masterpiece, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCehmc_YrEI –ed)
- Add 200 more volunteers - Create hands on volunteer opportunities for the community
- Local shelters
- Cold weather shelters
- Street outreach
- Deepen our community and congregational relationships
- 3 new shelters
- Explore other partnerships to better serve our community and those without housing
- Enough capacity year around in Tacoma for families and/or single women and everyone
- Cold weather shelter in Gig Harbor
- Family shelter in East Pierce County
- Youth Shelter
- Day Shelter
- The Single adult shelters are opening their doors each night –but some folks can’t make it there – those with walkers have trouble getting to the shelter. We can better serve them
- Special Teams
- Cold Weather shelters
- Day Centers
- Welcome Home Mentoring Program
- Had 20 folks trained here this week, hoping for more in Puyallup tomorrow
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- Coley – how about minors. Martha – excited about Coffee Oasis – but only 6 beds.
- Mitch – Bonney Lake is desperate for an Adams street type Family Shelter (or one that serves both single adults and families).
- Pastor Steve Sharp – We run the Family Growth Center – North 26th in Tacoma – off Pearl.
- Questions - Adams family doesn’t have capacity. Martha – Pierce County is a priority
- Charleen – new hope resource center – was there last week – they were packed.
- Theresa – love the idea of an elder shelter – with a minimum age, not just disability. Like the idea of a women’s shelter – so many folks get assaulted. Martha – is very frustrated by folks getting assaulted. ? – if folks are exchanging sex for something – they qualify for our services.
- James – couples without kids, and medically fragile – transition from hospital – can’t discharge from shelter because they need more assistance.
- Al – Talked to crime victim compensation?
- Brendan – seniors who are vulnerable but don’t need skilled nursing – but dementia is kicking in, but they aren’t qualifying for the funding. They often forget shelter rules, which can make it hard to get into and stay in shelters. Martha – our challenge is that folks look ok to the doctor, but the doctor doesn’t get a good understanding of their dementia.
- Martha – will the Family Housing Network day shelter serve just families. Delmar – yes, just families
- Pastor – lots of folks need shelter for folks with pets. Martha – We try to make things work, if at all possible, so people can come in from the cold.
- Martha - Send me questions - sheppard@usw.salvationarmy.org
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