Camp moves, immediate needs and more

What’s New?

Camp Moves

Tent City 3 is moving this weekend to the “Church by the Side of the Road, “located at 3455 S. 148th St. Tukwila WA 98168.
Camp United We Stand is planning to move from St. Dunstans in Shoreline to the George Center starting on May 18th. The George Center is located at 2212 NE 125th Street, Seattle WA 98125. UWS will move to the Haller Lake United Methodist Church in August.
 The St. George location does not have power or water so camp UWS will need support with those items once they move. We do not know whether TC3 will have access to power and water in Tukwila.

What’s not new?

Moving Again

Both Tent City 3 and Camp United We Stand are moving soon. Moving a camp is a lot of hard work. Imagine having to pack up everything you own, dismantle your house drag it across town, rebuild it and reset up all your belongings. Add to that having to rebuild all the surrounding community infrastructure on which you depend. This is the case almost every 12 weeks for these camps and includes the camps front desk and office, the kitchen, the donations tent and the dormitories. During the time it takes to accomplish the move the campers are completely outside so rain, cold or in some cases extreme heat can take its toll on them especially anyone in fragile health.

Greater Seattle Cares checks with the camps to provide the supplies needed for the camp move such as garbage bags, hammers, nails, work gloves, gorilla tape zip ties and brooms. A move kit with all these items can cost $300 for small camps and more than $500 for the larger camps. We have at times rented trucks to help with the moves and always check to make sure the campers have meals and water in both the location they are moving out of and the one they are moving in. The campers always appreciate volunteers. Please stop by and give them a hand, bring them some water, food or let us know if you would like to make a donation to support their moves. If you bring food or water to be mindful of any trash that will be generated as the camp will have to dispose of that.

Tents - While some of the sanctioned encampments use tiny houses, camps Tent City 3 and United We Stand still live in tents. These tents were designed for recreational, not continuous use so typically last only about 10 to 12 months. UV damage weakens the tent fabric over time. This means that there is almost a constant need for new tents.
The camps cycle out the tents that are aging as they wear. The tents are typically covered with a tarp to prolong the life of the tent and to prevent leaks along the seams. The camps set up their tents on platforms that are most commonly built of pallets covered with plywood. This is necessary to keep the tent out of water during rain. Using pallets makes the tent foot print a standard in size. Typically single person tents are 8’ X10’ and those for doubles are 10’ X 12’. Cabin style tents are preferred so that people can stand up inside and because they provide more usable room inside. A single tent can cost anywhere from $50 to $80 each and the doubles can cost from $140 to $250 each. Our GSC Board recently purchased 4 single tents for both camp UWS and TC3.
As the weather warms up, the populations in the sanctioned camps typically rises so their will undoubtedly be a need for additional tents. Please consider adopting a tent or donating funds for that purpose. Perhaps there are groups that might like to fund raise for tents specifically. Our board would be happy to help you facilitate, so just let us know if we can help.

What are current needs?

Water- When a camp doesn’t have water access they need bottled water or water jugs. Our recommendation is to fill the camps large water containers rather than supplying individual bottles of water. Individual plastic bottles create a lot of garbage that the camp then has to dispose.
Gas for the Generators- Tent City 3 is using generators at their current location and UWS will need to do the same when the move to the George Center. They typically need donations of gasoline to keep them going. We recommend picking up the gas cans and taking them to be filled as they are heavy to carry and the campers typically don’t have transportation.
Clothing- Keep in mind that a lot of campers are larger men. New undergarments are always appreciated but everything helps.
Blankets and Bedding- Campers need bedding and the ability to wash it. Each camp has its own laundry arrangements, but they sometimes need assistance with obtaining these donations
Batteries-Camps without power will rely on battery operated flashlights and other items.

Current Camp Hosts and Locations

Tent City 3-Cherry Hill Baptist Church, 700 22nd Ave. Seattle, WA 98122
United We Stand-St. Dunstans Church, 722 N 145th St, Shoreline, WA 98133
Tent City 4-Public Property in Issaquah, Exit 20 on I-90, Issaquah, WA
Tent City 5-Interbay Neighborhood in Ballard, 1601 15th Ave. W (cross street Garfield, under the Magnolia Bridge), Seattle, WA 98119
Camp Lichton Springs-Private Property belonging to the Low Income Housing Institute, 8620 Aurora Ave N just south of Seattle Fabrics
Camp Unity Eastside-Bear Creek United Methodist Church, 16530 Avondale Rd NE, Woodinville, WA 98077
Camp Second Chance-Public Property in White Center, 9625 Myers Way S. Seattle, WA 98108
Nicklesville Othello-7544 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Seattle, WA
Nicklesville Union-Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 22nd and E Union, Seattle, WA
Nickelsville Georgetown-1000 S. Myrtle St., Seattle, WA

Thank you!

Thank you for participating in the mission of Greater Seattle Cares. Thank you for caring! And thank you for your donations of money, time, goods, and relationships. Your caring brings hope and change to those we serve.

What’s New with GSC?

The Denture Program is back!

In partnership with Husky Health Bridge (HHB), the Greater Seattle Cares’ Denture program is back in the business of changing lives! People who are missing teeth are missing out on a lot: without a confident smile it’s hard to find a job or housing and people adversely judge you. Through GSC’s denture program, Dental Case Managers are able to help camp residents in need of dentures get the care they need.
Can we count on YOU to make a donation – of any size – to help fund this vital program?

$300 buys one tooth $525 buys an upper or lower denture $1150 provides an entire set of teeth And any amount helps!

To donate please visit the GSC dental program’s Go Fund Me campaign.

Camp Updates

Tent City 3 is still at the Skyway site on the southeast corner of 129th & Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Because this site is a vacant lot without access to power or running water, the camp needs help with paying for gasoline for their generator. If you stop by, you can fill one or more of their cans at the gas station across the street. Call the camp to discuss at 206-399-0412.
The camp is also in need of batteries of all sizes: AAA, AA, D and C.
TC3 is moving to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Capitol Hill on June 24th, where it will be for the summer months. However, the residents are actively seeking a host for a location after that stay and beyond. The site could be a church or a commercial site waiting for building permits. If you know of any potential host sites, please call SHARE 206/448-7889.

Camp United We Stand moved this month to Haller Lake United Methodist Church at 13055 1st Ave NE in north Seattle. The camp will be at this site until mid-August, when it will move to Richmond Beach Congregational Church of Christ in Shoreline. The camp is almost full, but may accept a few more residents to reach its maximum of 35.

Camp Unity Eastside is currently at the Northshore United Church of Christ in Woodinville at 18900 168th Ave. NE. The camp is down to 16 residents and is actively accepting new intakes.

Camp Second Chance is now fully supported by the City of Seattle through their fiscal agent, Patacara. They finally have electricity and water, and the camp is expanding to grow rapidly.

Program Updates

Our Magnificent Glean Team continues to provide food, toiletries, OTC medications and other sundries to these camps, as well as to a number of different shelters and organizations that help low-income neighbors meet basic needs. Recent donations include six bikes and outdoor furniture that we took to Ryan’s House for Youth, a shelter for homeless teens on Whidbey Island.

Through our gleaning connections, the newest Chipotle Mexican Grill on Lake City Way recently donated their pre-opening prepared food to us. We routed these burritos, bowls, chips, salsa and leftover ingredients to the various camps, to Mary’s Place in Shoreline, and to the feeding ministry at St. Dunstans’s Episcopal Church. Last week’s donation helped generate more than 1,000 meals! Thank you, Chipotle!

If you would like more detail on any of these topics please contact us at Info@GreaterSeattleCares.org

Thank you all for what you do to help those experiencing homelessness. 

What’s New with GSC?

New Tents and Tarps have been delivered! 

Thanks to our generous donors we were able to fill all the tent requests we received from Tent City 3, Camp United We Stand, and Camp Unity Eastside. We also provided them with a new heavy-duty tarp for each tent, and even carport tents that were requested for communal areas. These arrived just ahead of the recent heavy rains. Thanks to our donors for making this possible.
As the Seattle winter weather sets in, all the camps will be looking for winter clothing, boots, raingear, blankets, sleeping bags, batteries for flashlights and lanterns, and hand warmers. Large men’s clothing is always in need. We are looking into how to provide Goodwill Store vouchers to campers and will let you know once the process is in place.

Here are the current locations of the camps we support and their identified supply lists: 

TC3 
Currently at: The George, 2212 NE 125th St, Seattle, WA 98125
Next move: TC3’s next move will be on December 17th to the University of Washington.
Requests: TC3 is asking for ponchos and rubber boots.
News: The camp is using a generator for power while staying at The George and GSC has been providing the gas. We recently replaced all five of their old, unsafe gas cans with brand new ones. GSC will also be hosting the Medical Teams International Mobile Dental Clinic at TC3 on November 19.

Camp United We Stand (CUWS) 
Currently at: Richmond Congregational United Church of Christ, 1512 Northwest 195th St. Shoreline, WA 98177, (206) 637-1052
Next move: CUWS is moving on Wednesday 11/7 to St. Dunstan’s Episcopal, located at 722 N. 145th St in Shoreline. The City of Shoreline permit has been delivered to the camp and the host.
Requests: CUWS is hoping for help with supplies for this upcoming move: garbage bags to keep belongings dry, gorilla tape, zip ties, etc. They have already enlisted the help of two non-profits with the loan of moving trucks. You can help defray the costs by move supplies by making a donation to Greater Seattle Cares and earmarking the gift for this purpose.
News: GSC has provided 750 feet of privacy fencing and 32 2x4s so that the camp can enclose the larger area they have available to them at St. Dunstan’s.

Camp Unity Eastside (CUE) 
Currently at: The Carol Edwards Center, 17401 133rd Ave NE, Woodinville, WA 98072
Next move: CUE will be moving this weekend, the 5-6 of November to Kirkland Congregational Church.
Requests: As with Camp United We Stand, CUE is hoping for help with supplies for this upcoming move. You can help defray the costs by move supplies by making a donation to Greater Seattle Cares and earmarking the gift for this purpose.

Camp Second Chance 
Currently at: Myers Way S, West Seattle
Next move: None planned
News: GSC supported this camp when it was first formed and then, for various reasons, had to withdraw that support. Recently, however, GSC was back in touch with this camp and found it to have stabilized significantly. While camping on public land due to the lack of a church willing to host the camp, the residents have won the support of the neighbors and even the police with their exemplary behavior and clean site. They are even starting a fund raising effort (see below) to help defray the costs of gasoline for their generator, the portable toilets and garbage collection! Impressed by the residents’ initiative and responding to the camp’s request, GSC has reinstated Camp Second Chance among the camps that we support. Here is link to the camp’s website. https://campsecondchance.github.io/.
Welcome back, Camp Second Chance!

CSC is selling polo shirts to support the camp. Here is their logo, designed by a CSC resident, showing a lucky 4-leaf clover.

Come down to camp and buy one!

If you would like more detail on this or any topic, please contact info@GreaterSeattleCares.org.

Thank you all for your support and especially your big hearts and generous spirits in doing what you can to help those experiencing homelessness.

What’s New with GSC?

We have great news!

All the encampments have been requesting new tents. This is especially important as they prepare for the rainy cold winter weather. With some recent generous donations and a grant from the Fales foundation GSC has been able to make a large bulk purchase of new tents and tarps for Tent City 3, Camp Unity Eastside and Camp United We Stand. Not only will we be able to fulfill the tent requests we have received, but we’ll also have additional tents to donate when new requests come in. These tents include singles, doubles, and family-size tents along with tarps for each, which make the tents last about twice as long. We have also purchased some carport tents, which the camps use for their public spaces, such as the Kitchen Tent, the Donations Tent and the Security Tent.

With winter not far away, waterproof shelter is not the only thing the camps will be needing. Winter clothing, blankets, sleeping bags, batteries for flashlights, lanterns and hand warmers will also soon be in great demand. Also, a hot meal can go a long way toward keeping someone warm in cold weather. Have you thought about cooking a meal for a camp near you? Check our the meal page on our website!

Here are the current locations of the camps we formally support and some needs that we are aware of.

Tent City 3 (TC3) is currently at The George in North Seattle.
2212 NE 125th St, Seattle, WA 98125
206-399-0412

TC3 will be at this site until mid-late December, when it will move to the campus of the University of Washington.

Requests: TC3 is asking for men’s clothing and work boots.

Also, the camp does not have access to power while staying at the George and is using a generator. Gas for the generator will be an ongoing expense while in this location. If you’d like to help, you can either go to camp and offer to fill up a gas can, or you can make a donation to GSC with an earmark for that purpose.

Camp Unity Eastside (CUE) is currently at the Carol Edwards Center in Woodinville.
17401 133rd Ave NE, Woodinville, WA 98072
425-652-9170

The camp will stay at the Carol Edwards Center until November 9.

Camp United We Stand (CUWS) is currently at the Richmond Beach Congregational United Church of Christ in Shoreline.
1512 Northwest 195th St. Shoreline, WA 98177
(206) 637-1052

CUWS is planning to move on 11/6 to St. Dunstan’s in Shoreline.

On Wednesday, October 5th, at 7:00 pm there will be a meeting at St. Dunstan’s Church to discuss plans to host. Camp residents and members of their Board will be present to address questions or concerns from the neighborhood. You are invited to come and to ask any questions you may have. St. Dunstan’s is located at 722 N 145th St, Shoreline, WA 98133.

Requests: UWS is hoping for men’s and women’s long johns (e.g. UnderArmor) socks, boxer briefs and other clothing.


Other Topics of Interest:

It’s nothing new to say that the answer to homelessness is to provide homes for people who have none. It’s also not news that the Puget Sound region does not have enough low-income housing. So, while people wait to get into housing, our area’s number of encampments has grown from two to ten. Seattle’s Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) has been experimenting with a better solution though: semi-permanent Tiny House Villages. A Tiny House is defined as a building with less than 120 square feet (e.g. 10’ x 12’), sometimes with electricity. A Tiny House Village includes a number of these small homes with a shared kitchen and bathrooms. This week, members of GSC will be meeting with representatives from LIHI to tour one of their tiny house communities and learn what is involved in hosting one. We will soon be reaching out to see if any of our church contacts would consider allowing LIHI to build some Tiny Houses on their property.

If you would like more details on any of these topics please contact Info@GreaterSeattleCares.org.

Thank you all for your support and especially your big hearts and generous spirits in doing what you can to help those experiencing homelessness.

What's New with GSC

Here are the current locations of the camps we formally support and some needs that we are aware of.
Please remember when the weather gets hot, that all the camps can use ice.

Tent City 3 (TC3)
St. Josephs Parish
732 18th Ave E., Seattle, WA 98112

TC3 is moving this weekend to “The George”, which used to be St. George’s Episcopal Church at 2212 NE 125th St, Seattle, WA 98125.  Come help out with the move, at either end. Pick-up trucks, bottled water and willing hands all gratefully welcomed!

TC3 is asking for tents, printer paper and #63 cartridges for their HP inkjet printer. They can always use disposable items like garbage bags as well.

Camp Unity Eastside (CUE)
Carol Edwards Center
17401 133rd Ave NE, Woodinville, WA 98072

The camp is doing well and will stay at the Carol Edwards Center until November 9.

They have been growing beautiful vegetables for the camp to use.

The Woodinville YMCA has been very supportive of CUE during their stay. They have been soliciting donations on their behalf and have been allowing the campers to use their showers.

United We Stand (UWS)

Richmond Beach Congregational United Church of Christ
1512 Northwest 195th St. Shoreline, WA 98177

UWS has a new camp phone provided by GSC.  You can reach the camp at (206) 637-1052.

Camp Second Chance

Camp Second Chance is currently at an unpermitted site on public land known as Meyer’s Parcels
9625 Myers Way S. Seattle, WA 98108

Due to a series of circumstances, including this camp’s distance from GSC’s base of operations in North Seattle, GSC is no longer able to formally support this camp. However, Camp Second Chance is being supported by Patacara Community Services, a non-profit organization that also supports Camp Liberty.

Other Topics of Interest

• Fall is quickly approaching, and all the camps will need new tents.  Tents typically last a year or less as most are not designed to be used 365 days a year. There is a sense of urgency to procure tents before the fall rains and cold weather starts.

GSC, with grant money received from the Fales foundation will be purchasing as many tents as possible.  A typical two-person tent can cost $80 to $100 and we have funds earmarked for about 25 tents. Let us know if you know of any resources for procuring sturdy tents or if you know of a group that would like to make project of raising funds for tents.  Some of the camps have needs for larger tents or even the tent carports.

• We recently made contact with the Lyons organization regarding their program for supplying eye glasses for people who cannot afford them.We hope to set up a visit to TC3 in the near future.

If you would like more details on any of these topics please contact Info@GreaterSeattleCares.org and we will respond.
While homelessness continues to grow in our area, we are heartened to meet so many people who care and who are willing to give their time and talent to do what they can to help.

Thank you all, and thank you for caring about the camps. :)

What’s New with GSC?

Hello to all supporters of Puget Sound’s Tent Encampments!

Here’s a quick update on the requests and needs from the Tent Encampments supported by Greater Seattle Cares. If you can donate any of these items, please contact the camp directly – thank you!

Tent City 3 (TC3) 206/399-0412 
University Congregational United Church of Christ 
4515 16th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105 
TC3 is currently depending on gasoline-powered generators for power and is periodically in need of gasoline.

Camp Unity Eastside 425/652-9170
Blessed Theresa of Calcutta Catholic Church 
17856 NE Woodinville Duvall Rd, Woodinville, WA 98077 

CUE’s current location does not have power, so they are in need of propane. 

United We Stand (UWS) 206/578-7134 
Haller Lake UMC 
13005 1st Ave NE Seattle WA 98125 
The camp has Richmond Beach Congregational lined up as their next host for July – September, but only if they can line up a host for after their stay in Richmond Beach. Do we have any suggestions of churches they could contact regarding a place to stay in the fall?

Camp Second Chance through Grace 206/578-6551 
Riverton Park United Methodist Church 
 3118 S 140th St, Seattle, WA 98168
Camp SCTG needs to find a host soon, as they must leave their current location in mid-June. Their support network is in the south end so a south-end host would be ideal.

GSC Board 
Our board recently said good-bye to Jenny Coss and Elizabeth Fenn. We are very grateful to both for their many years of service. Elizabeth Fenn will be focusing on her work with Operation Night Wath and will remain active in GSC as our camp liaison to Camp Unity Eastside. Jenny and her husband are moving back to the Midwest to be near family, and we know that with her big heart, she will remain active working on the issues surrounding homelessness.

Funding 
GSC participated in the Seattle Foundation’s GiveBIG online fundraising event in May and raised $2130. Thanks to all who donated! 
We are still waiting to hear back from the Fales Foundation on our grant request to fund replacement tents for TC3, CUE, and UWS.

MTI Van 
The MTI mobile dental clinic will be at Tent City 3 on May 14th. We will send the word out as soon as we have the next van scheduled – hopefully in June.

Communication 
Check out our website’s new page for Camp Second Chance through Grace!  

We are active on Facebook so please like and share our posts. 

Other Topics of Interest 

• With the closure of the Aloha Motel there is a huge concern about where the camps will be able to wash blankets. Washing blankets every two weeks is a sanitary measure required by the Health Department. Can you think of any facilities that might be willing to assist at little or no cost? Big camps need to wash about 200 blankets per week. 
• Tent City 5 apparently has some raised garden beds and asked for assistance with getting vegetable plant starts. We were able to glean some starts from Seattle Tilth, which had many remaining after their spring plant sales. 

If you would like more detail on any of these topics please contact us at Info@GreaterSeattleCares.org. 

Homelessness continues to grow in our area and there are many challenges, but working together, we can make things better. 

Thank you for caring about the residents of Puget Sound’s homeless encampments.