Mobile Dental Clinic

For several years now, GSC has been partnering with Medical Teams International (MTI) to bring one of their mobile dental clinics to Tent City 3. Every month or two, MTI employee Ellen Broyles maneuvers this incredible vehicle through the city to wherever Tent City is being hosted at the moment. The mobile-home-sized clinic includes two complete dental suites and comes complete with X-ray machines, autoclave, and a waiting room.

In this dental clinic, two volunteer dentists and dental assistants can provide care for 12-20 campers in a day, treating cavities and extracting teeth when necessary. Sometimes we are lucky to have a dental hygienist on the van, providing important prophylaxis to people who have often not had the opportunity for a dental cleaning in years.

 Greater Seattle Cares pays $400 for each visit of the dental van. If you would like to support this important endeavor, make an earmarked donation today.

Homeless Poetry, by Matt Barrett

Matthew R. Barrett (2/8/65 - 9/2/14)

A View from the Street is a book of poetry written by a man who has lived on the streets off and on for much of his adult life. This book includes Matt's poetry, articles about Matt and letters to Matt from former President Clinton and more.

In addition to Matt's encounters with homelessness, Matt has also battled 11 types of cancer since he was just two years old and has endured over 1,700 surgeries. In 2011, he was a Special Guest at the Invisible Disabilities Association's Honor Awards Banquet, where he shared some of his journey.


 He was also chosen to be featured in Seattle freelance photographer's photo essay called Walking with Giant.


Purchase A View from the Street by Matthew R. Barrett.

All proceeds are generously donated to support Tent City 3.

Gleaning Project: GSC Goes Green

Have you ever wondered what happens to merchandise that has been opened and then returned to a store? What about new food and sundries that are either surplus or manufactured as samples? It might surprise you to know these items are typically sold as salvage or even sent to the landfill.

At GSC we realize that in our community there are both tremendous need and opportunity. By partnering with caring businesses within the area we are coordinating the successful redistribution of these goods to TC3 and other registered agencies dedicated to the homeless and at risk populations. One hundred percent of everything “gleaned” is routed to one or more of these places.

We are pleased to say that each year we glean many tons of food and thousands of other articles that are then immediately passed on to those doing without. Not only is this work particularly gratifying as it touches hundreds of people each day, it is also makes use of things that would otherwise be lost or wasted.

 If you think you might be interested in joining our “Glean Team”, we would love to hear from you. Together we can help so many and protect our environment in the process. How green is that?

 

Tent City 3 video, by Seattle Pacific University

This video discusses the issue of homelessness and includes Tent City 3 residents, volunteers and other supporters sharing their voice. Produced by Seattle Pacific University. Copyright 2009, Clapping Trees Media.


Tent City 3 from Seattle Pacific University on Vimeo.

Watch this video on Vimeo

Tent City 3 photos by Marc Weinberg

A slideshow of Tent City 3 spanning several years.

Created with flickr slideshow.

For more photos by Marc Weinberg visit www.flickr.com/photos/marc_weinberg/

Walking with Giant

 

One man's battle with homelessness and debilitating illness

(2/8/65 - 9/2/14) Meet Matthew Robert Barrett, appropriately nicknamed Giant by his friends not just for his grand stature but for meeting a hard life head-on and being dubbed a big inspiration to all those who have come to know him.

Matt was a 3-year resident at Tent City 3.

Learn about his journey in a photo essay by photographer Ilona Berzups.

GSC Newsletter – Feb 2012

In this issue:

• SPU reaches out
• A donation you can sink your teeth into
• What’s cookin’ in March?
• What do the campers need right now?
• A Giant Step Forward to Give Back
• Really, come visit!
• Calling all strong arms (and pick-up trucks)

Download/view GSC Newsletter - Feb 2012 (1.2 mb)