From Don Fornoff, Bishop’s Task Force on Homelessness:
I have enjoyed writing this column on behalf of the Bishop’s Task Force on Homelessness because I want to keep all of our parishes up-to-date on current outreach efforts. That is faith-based outreach, social, non-profit, and governmental efforts. I am constantly on the lookout for ideas and for what is being published about the extent and reasons for homelessness. I use numbers that I myself haven’t vetted but that can be relied upon to tell a story. Mostly, I enjoy citing programs that have been brought to my attention or about which our Task Force members have direct knowledge. I’m glad to say a reader sent an email to say Trinity, Seattle wants us all to know they host a women’s shelter. I checked our database and found much more is going on there. The shelter has low barriers for 50-60 women every night, with needed items given to those who can’t pay; it hosts Cherry Street food bank four days a week, partners with Plymouth Housing to provide affordable housing, and also makes and gives out safety pouches. Wow! I’m breathless.
There’s a lot more going on in the Diocese. St. Stephen’s, Oak Harbor has a feeding program, works with Whidbey Homeless Coalition, and supports Ryan’s House for teens and The Haven, an overnight shelter. Christ Church, Puyallup has Wednesday meal and laundry service, supports the unhoused day center New Hope Center, and makes and gives out safety pouches. Good Samaritan, Sammamish gives out safety pouches. Faith, Poulsbo has Fresh Start Mondays – showers, lunch, laundry, food closet, and a fresh change of clothes, serving 15 -20 people weekly, and gives out safety pouches. Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle hosts unhoused women Sunday through Thursday with Noel House. Lastly, for this week, I want to recognize St. Luke’s/San Lucas, Vancouver, which hosts 18 vulnerable, unhoused women in their basement with food, clothing, and hot soup in the mornings, volunteers in the men’s shelter, and gives out safety pouches.
The diversity of these efforts (which are only a snapshot of parish outreach in the Diocese) reflects the needs inherent in their jurisdiction. The outreach also hints at the size of the congregations, as well as some significant history in many places. We are all grateful for the calling in our faith to be able to serve. There is much being done. There is much more that should be done.
I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about a wonderful and inspiring conversation I had with Canon Britt Olsen of St. Luke’s, Seattle. The star of our chat was the St. Luke’s build kicking off this week with a reception on Sunday at Diocesan House. The groundbreaking is May 17, wherein St. Luke’s, the Diocese, the City, and the State are collaborating to build a new St. Luke’s church and meeting space, along with affordable and market-rate housing. Edible Hope daily breakfast feeding will continue. Canon Britt and I talked about this great opportunity and that churches are looking to serve neighbors with new ideas in the future. I am in awe of St. Luke’s congregation (not a large one) being able to raise $1 million toward the project. There is still a need for $1.5 million to be raised by other Diocesan parishioners. I would encourage all to go to the St. Luke’s website for more information about what has been done and what will be done.
Dear Ones, be well, do good work, and love one another.
Don Fornoff, Member Task Force on Homelessness
