by Linda Cameron, Sr. Marketing Associate The line starts at 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon for the 153 sleeping spots available at the Rescue Mission’s Downtown Tacoma Campus. Irrespective of the weather, all of the beds are filled every night. On average, 35 men are turned away because there is no room. Every day, in the cafeteria after the evening meal, the tables and chairs are moved out of the way and the 50 plus sleeping mats are laid out for the night. In January, 58 new clients were enrolled, up slightly over January 2010’s numbers.
Additional need does not translate into more staff says Frank Jackson, Rescue Mission’s Downtown Tacoma Campus Director. More people with the same number of staff create management difficulties. When staff was stretched to the limit, he reached out to volunteers and interns to fill those needs.
A warm place to stay overnight is just one component of services provided. Over the past four years, the Downtown Tacoma Campus has seen a 25 percent increase in single moms with young children coming to eat at the campus. No one is turned away at meal time.
When asked how the cold weather has affected their campus, Frank said there is a constant need for coats, hats, gloves and scarves to help protect against the elements.
Jan Sonntag, Adams Street Family Campus’ Capital Campaign Director, echoed the constant need for coats, hats and gloves.
“What is the bare minimum for you is not the same as someone on the street.” Homeless people live with the barest of minimum. For most, their lives are contained in a plastic bag. In December, over 11,000 pieces of clothing were distributed through the Rescue Mission’s Campuses.
Sonntag said the Rescue Mission works hard to meet the basic needs of its clients.
“We’re doing our best to stop the revolving door.”
Special Thanks to our funded partners who are serving those in need of shelter - Tacoma Rescue Mission and Catholic Community Services.
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