SURVEY: HOMELESSNESS DOWN IN COUNTY

From left, Laura Arndt, Eddie Hughes and Katie Hughes, from Vineyard Church, accept a plaque of recognition for their efforts to end homelessness in the area from Kathy Wahto, director of Serenity House, during the organization’s annual meeting Jan. 21. Photo by Anna Moser

Volunteers pass out food, gloves, hats, bus passes at event

By EVAN McLEAN
Staff writer

In this year’s Point in Time count, Serenity House of Clallam County stepped up its Sequim coverage.

“We have a great strategy to survey this year for homeless or those close to being homeless,” director Kathy Wahto said. “We have wonderful cooperation going with Sequim Police, the food bank, health clinic, volunteers at St. Luke’s and we put together an outreach dinner in order to get a better survey of Sequim’s position.”

The count, which took place Jan. 24, includes individuals who self-identify as homeless, recently homeless or on the brink thereof. The numbers are not fully tallied, but Wahto is encouraged.

“I can safely say there are fewer people that are homeless in Clallam County,” Wahto said, citing other identifiers like shelter attendance. “The Point in Time count, itself, is not a scientific study so it’s hard to say we’re ending homelessness, but the counts have gone down every year over the past three years, which is encouraging.”

Wahto said she is specifically happy to see Sequim canvassed more thoroughly.

“You may not see families sleeping on sidewalks in Sequim, but there are people having a tough time,” Wahto said, referring to a family living in their vehicle. “So we’re glad to have better service coverage with the Sequim Housing Resource Center and better contact with the people in that area.”

Though 2006 and 2007, Serenity and a team of service agencies and groups began providing more temporary, transitional and permanent housing than ever before in Clallam County. Havens such as the Dream Center for homeless or at-risk youth, family shelters and the street outreach center provide warm, safe places for those without a bed to have a good night’s sleep.

The organization also provides assistance, financial or informational, for those on the brink of homelessness.

With dozens of services and options available, each of which aids people or families in different situations, Serenity created a Housing Resource Center with sites in both Sequim and Port Angeles. A clearinghouse of information, the resource centers match people with the assistance that will best help them in their situation.

“We are here in Sequim now, on Cedar Street next to Sequim Avenue, ready to help,” resource center manager Pam Soteros said while setting up for the survey in Sequim’s Transit Center. “We’re right around the corner from the thrift shop.”

Wahto said 2008 marks Serenity’s 25th year in service. Serenity began as a mission-style emergency shelter in a former Port Angeles industrial building and now provides myriad services and connections to even more helping agencies.

“We are blessed with a consortium of service groups and volunteers that make all this happen,” Wahto said. “The services span so many people and situations, from veterans to at-risk youth; it is really encouraging.”

At Serenity's 25th anniversary dinner and annual meeting Jan. 21, Wahto handed out five plaques to recognize groups that have made an impact.

“The Men’s Outreach Endeavors, or MORE, group from the Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church has really focused on the needs of the youth and those looking for safety at the Dream Center,” Wahto said. “They are relentless in their fundraising and volunteer labor, like what they do with Habitat (for Humanity).”

Charlie Simonsen, a volunteer with MORE, said the time and money put into the community service is about more than just helping your fellow man or woman.

“We direct our efforts to those in the community that need a hand to get back onto their feet, with the major thrust going toward the youth,” Simonsen said. “Part of the freedom in believing in yourself and in God’s love is being less anxious about helping or receiving help and knowing that what you do for others, you do for yourself and the Lord.”

MORE’s fundraising efforts, including a large yard sale and Safeway gift card sales, benefit agencies such as Serenity House, Habitat for Humanity, Sequim Community Aid and the Sequim Food Bank. The charitable donations are matched by the local chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Grants totaling about $130,000 from Thrivent built two houses in 2007 and 2008 through Habitat for Humanity, according to Simonsen.

Wahto said additional volunteers are always needed. For more information on volunteering with Serenity, call 452-7224.

 
To learn more about Serenity House of Clallam County and the 10-year plan to end homelessness in Clallam County, visit www.serenityhouseclallam.org.

Serenity House facts:
• Developments for 2008 include connection education, support with emergency housing
• Plans include expanding permanent housing opportunities for veterans
• Serenity expects to serve more than 2,700 individuals in 2008, a 37-percent increase over 2007.
• The number of people served in 2007 increased 23 percent from 2006.
• Serenity House turns 25 years old this year.
• Two Serenity thrift stores account for nearly $700,000 in revenue annually
• Sequim's thrift store will expand in the summer of 2008