New Initiatives and New Opportunities at May Community Meeting
The next Community Quarterly Meeting (CQM) will continue its long-standing tradition of informing our community of innovative solutions to address homelessness with several brand-new initiatives in Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood. Join us on Thursday, May 18 for this gathering of like-minded people (that includes YOU!) working together toward lasting solutions to homelessness. We’ll meet from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at the Bryant Neighborhood Center at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1615 6th Avenue, Tacoma 98405.
There will also be a special presentation that makes this CQM a “must-attend meeting.” During the gathering, everyone will have the opportunity to contribute to Associated Ministries’ Strategic Planning process through a facilitated conversation that will inform AM’s direction moving forward. Since our founding, AM has been a convener of people of faith and goodwill, listening to the voices and needs of our community to guide this work. Remaining true to this legacy, AM will be engaging community stakeholders to help set our future direction as we continue to address Pierce County’s most pressing needs. We hope that you will join us at May’s CQM and share your input to help shape the future of our organization. Your voice matters!
Here is the lineup of speakers at May’s CQM:
Gerald Daniels with Brotherhood Rise Center will share about the new Tiny Homes that have just been built in the Hilltop area. This is an amazing accomplishment! This new program provides a housing option for individuals and families experiencing homelessness that has been desperately needed for years. Come and learn how this vision transpired, as well as ways that you can become involved!
Alan Brown and Ty Dilworth with Catholic Community Services will share about the newest Safe Parking Program in our community at Holy Rosary Church. They will provide details on this new (and much-needed) temporary sheltering option that just came to fruition. Come and learn how you or your congregation can start a Safe Parking program of your own or support existing safe parking efforts.
Luke Storaasli with Associated Ministries will highlight an opportunity for anyone to make a significant difference in someone’s life. Luke will share how AM’s Community Connections Resource Center fills the gaps within services that are needed for families to secure and/or sustain housing. Sometimes even a $10 expense can be a barrier to securing housing or employment. Come and learn how you can be part of closing these gaps!
We will end with a special interactive session with James Hushagen and Emily Happy with The Philanthropy Collective, who is working with Associated Ministries to develop a new Strategic Plan for our agency. They will lead us through a process to capture community voice, which will be used to inform the future vision and direction of Associated Ministries. Ideas gathered during this session will help guide us in setting goals and strategies as we continue to rise to the challenge of our community’s greatest needs. Come and be a part of shaping the future! Register here.
Associated Ministries convenes these meetings in partnership with other homeless and housing service providers working in Pierce County, with the goal of creating an energizing space to gather regularly to learn about, discuss, and take action on the crisis of homelessness in our community.