Congregational Call-to-Action

There are unprecedented needs within our community, and a growing number of opportunities for local congregations to step up to serve the vulnerable. Following are details on four partnering opportunities we’ve recently been made aware of, representing small, medium and larger commitments.

Our community desires to partner with faith communities, and they believe we can help. Please consider answering these urgent calls to action.

Associated Ministries is in need of items to be incorporated into our Project Homeless Connect resource bags, hundreds of which will be packaged and distributed to those in need throughout Pierce County this winter. For a complete list of needed items, click here. Contact Michele Cotton at 253-426-1507 or michelec@associatedministries.org for more information or to arrange to drop off donations.

Local congregations are being sought which are interested in hosting a flu clinic for uninsured or medically underserved adults in early 2021. The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department in partnership with the Medical Reserve Corps will offer free flu shots at these sites for adults and families. For more information, please contact Manu Rodriguez at MRodriguez@tpchd.org. To learn about clinics that are already scheduled, download this flyer.

The Safe Parking Network is a temporary pilot program being launched in Pierce County to support families and individuals experiencing homelessness while living in their vehicle. Congregations with parking lots are being sought to serve as host sites, providing a safe place to sleep and stabilize while quickly getting connected to services and assistance. The sites will be equipped with portable toilets, hand washing stations, garbage services and outreach services through a dedicated contact person and Program Manager. To learn more, download the factsheet, or contact Colin DeForrest at 253-348-4596 or via email at colin@i2-strategies.com. Read more in this article in the News-Tribune.

Seeing the need for services to meet the needs of the unsheltered who live in areas where there are very limited resources, New Hope Resource Center of Puyallup has partnered with the County to create a Mobile Resources Response Team consisting of a 40-foot self-contained RV with shower and laundry trailers. This mobile unit is now operational and provides opportunities for housing and treatment, medical and behavioral health referrals, etc. Also available are computers, cell phone charging, food, clothing, toiletries, blankets, etc. The desire is to set up the mobile unit at strategic locations throughout rural parts of the County, and New Hope is seeking the use faith community parking lots as the locations for this life-changing work; each congregation could host 2-4 days a month on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays, depending on their interest. Additional details are contained in this document. For more information, please contact Paula Anderson at 253-686-7773. Read more in this article in the News-Tribune.