Fun on Poverty Rock aka Mercy Island
As soon as we got back from the FABULOUS birthday celebration, we launched headfirst into our Church's hosting of Tent City 4 - the 100 homeless person encampment that spends 90 days at various church locations throughout the eastside of Lake Washington. As you can imagine, it created a bit of a ruckus, but people have been mostly very supportive and kind. Not true of the loud and the few, however.
In any event, we have 100 people (men and women - no children) in tents in our parking lot, and they are just the biggest variety of folks you've ever seen. And highly organized too. No alcohol, no violence, no outstanding warrants, no sex offenders etc. etc. They screen all potential residents, require them to follow a code of conduct, and if they mind their manners, they get food and a place to sleep and a safe place to keep their stuff. Also free bus tickets and access to a telephone and a computer.
Volunteers sign up and serve one hot meal a day. We served hot dogs and beans and potato salad (thank you Costco!) one day (not by ourselves, there were about 10 people helping). It was a lot of work and a lot of fun. It cost about $325 to serve everyone. Most of the folks are working or going to school, trying to get back on their feet. Others are getting veteran services or whatever other social services they are entitled to. It won't cure homelessness, but it is a real effort to give some people shelter and food while they continue their struggles. Honestly, you would never ever pick some of these folks to be homeless. Better in a tent than under a bridge. There simply is a real shortage of other types of temporary shelter.
I am practicing my guitar! Parks and Rec is offering an adult beginning guitar class on Monday nights, and since Noah's basketball team now plays on Wednesday nights, I am going to sign up. Betcha I have the best guitar there!
Thanks again for the unforgettable birthday celebration. It will linger in my memory forever and ever.
Love,
Diana
PS I can't believe how much Nina and Alex have grown! Great photos!
In any event, we have 100 people (men and women - no children) in tents in our parking lot, and they are just the biggest variety of folks you've ever seen. And highly organized too. No alcohol, no violence, no outstanding warrants, no sex offenders etc. etc. They screen all potential residents, require them to follow a code of conduct, and if they mind their manners, they get food and a place to sleep and a safe place to keep their stuff. Also free bus tickets and access to a telephone and a computer.
Volunteers sign up and serve one hot meal a day. We served hot dogs and beans and potato salad (thank you Costco!) one day (not by ourselves, there were about 10 people helping). It was a lot of work and a lot of fun. It cost about $325 to serve everyone. Most of the folks are working or going to school, trying to get back on their feet. Others are getting veteran services or whatever other social services they are entitled to. It won't cure homelessness, but it is a real effort to give some people shelter and food while they continue their struggles. Honestly, you would never ever pick some of these folks to be homeless. Better in a tent than under a bridge. There simply is a real shortage of other types of temporary shelter.
I am practicing my guitar! Parks and Rec is offering an adult beginning guitar class on Monday nights, and since Noah's basketball team now plays on Wednesday nights, I am going to sign up. Betcha I have the best guitar there!
Thanks again for the unforgettable birthday celebration. It will linger in my memory forever and ever.
Love,
Diana
PS I can't believe how much Nina and Alex have grown! Great photos!
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