BACKGROUND

Viv has been on the streets a long time. He exists in a world that is mostly invisible to the average person. Yet, he has pride, self-assurance, and a desire for cleanliness. 

Recently, Sound Alliance guided St. Vincent de Paul Church in Federal Way in a listening session for parishoners. The forum provided an avenue for parishoners to express concerns about the community.  Many present were experienced in serving the homeless.  These volunteers shared the gaps in services provided by nonprofits and volunteer churches.  

The Brookings Institution stated in Confronting Suburban Poverty In America that suburban poverty grew by 80 percent from 2000 to 2011.

Armed with this information, St. Vincent's networked with the community through public meetings. Other organizations soon joined in identifying how to address the problem and the Federal Way Day Shelter Coalition was born!

Organizations collaborating with St. Vincent's include:  Federal Way Community Caregiving Network, Catholic Community Services, Valley Cities Counseling, King County Multi-Service Center, City Vision,  Saltwater Unitarian Church, the Church of the Good Shepard, Steel Lake Presbyterian, Calvary Lutheran, Our Savior Baptist Church, Grace Lutheran, St. Theresa's Catholic Church, and many others.  

Teams were delineated to research the various issues of homelessness. They visited day shelters in other cities, interviewed key players in the community who interface with the homeless, learned about zoning regulations, teamed with CCS for expertise in costs, and met with elected officials.  

In a public assembly sponsored by St. Vincent's and Sound Alliance, 275 citizens demonstrated their support for a Federal Way day shelter. Mayor Jim Ferrell stated he would do whatever he could in support of developing the Federal Way Day Shelter.

Viv is excited about the prospect of having a place in the city he calls home where he can shower on a daily basis, wash his clothes, and get something to eat.