Safe Parking News

Since the congregation voted on March 21 to support TUUC participation in the Tacoma/Pierce County Safe Parking Network Pilot Program, the SJC Subcommittee on Housing Insecurity continues to make great strides toward the moment when we will welcome our first guests. We have completed and sent in the application which includes a grant request budget and a Code of Conduct for guests. We have also identified our Site Host/point of contact. Thanks to David Pettit for agreeing to fill this important role and to the volunteers ready to work with him: Pam Jenkins, Mary Berry, 

Learning:

Breck Lebegue, Subcommittee member and training coordinator, has arranged for congregants to learn more about the stress of homelessness. Several congregants are attending the upcoming training offered by Verna Lilly of the Trauma Resilience Team which is part of the Pierce County Medical Reserve Corps. This may also be available at a future date. If you are interested, please email the Subcommittee: TUUChousingsubcomm@gmail.com

Homelessness 101 offered on March 16th is filled, but Teresa Power-Drutis and Rosemary Powers of New Connections have offered to do this training especially for TUUC congregants, date to be determined. Please email the Subcommittee if you are interested: TUUChousingsubcomm@gmail.com

Getting the Parking Lot Ready:

Subcommittee member David Pettit and a team of folks – Pam Jenkins, Tom Bookout, Breck Lebegue, and Dave and Cindy Hackett – worked this week on getting the parking lot ready for receiving guests. (Bob Hays and Patty McPhee generously had provided an earlier leveling of the lot and removal of the rotted wooden “bumpers.”) Next step is new space striping, installation of cement bumpers, and construction of a cement pad to support the porta-potty and handwashing station. Stay tuned for upcoming outdoor work party dates.

We look forward to hearing from you about how you might like to help. We will keep you posted on future learning opportunities, parking progress, work parties, and what help our guests need.

Thanks for your passion and energy to support our intended parking guests!

Members of the Subcommittee on Housing Insecurity: Cat Bilnoski, David Pettit, Breck Lebegue, Mary Berry, Stacey Soltoff, Dave and Cindy Hackett