About 80 neighbors gathered at Calvary Lutheran Church in Loyal Heights Wednesday night for a community meeting about the SHARE homeless shelter that’s moving into the building on May 30th. Our Redeemers Pastor Steve Grumm and a half-dozen SHARE members, with the help of a moderator, explained the shelter’s ground rules and fielded a wide range of questions.
Pastor Grumm said that the church will check in with the shelter members every night, and a task force will be created with neighbors to address any new concerns that arise. SHARE members briefed neighbors on their rules — no alcohol, drugs or loitering in the area — and they plan to provide safety patrols for a two block radius around the church every hour from 7 to 10 p.m.
“I’m really glad you’re going to be in our neighborhood,” said Sharon, who lives nearby. “We welcome you.” While many neighbors agreed, others felt Our Redeemers and SHARE didn’t go far enough to ensure a safe environment. “I feel the concerns we brought up fell on deaf ears,” said Ivan, who was a member of the neighborhood task force that worked with the church and SHARE. He focused most of his frustration at SHARE, which has refused to submit to “un-American” background checks, one of the key requests from neighbors. “We’re dealing with an organization that hasn’t shown one ounce of willingness to negotiate,” Ivan said. SHARE, meanwhile, defended their screening process and system of accountability. “We manage ourselves,” said Benjamin. “If someone goes off into someone’s yard, we call the cops. We’re responsible for what goes on.” Other neighbors asked for better communication, namely a 24-hour phone number they could call if problems arise.
The surprise guest of the night was Seattle Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis who stood up to answer a question about the legality of hosting a homeless shelter at the vacant church. “We don’t require permits for churches when they want to minister to the homeless,” he said, explaining the homeless problem is greater than the city can solve on its own. “The mayor asked for churches to open their doors to help.” The SHARE shelter is moving in on May 30th.
Neighbors hear homeless shelter plans
![](https://www.myballard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-My-Ballard-Tile-Ad-Troop-100.png")
http://tinyurl.com/ofnlkh (Link to tonight's Fox news story, for what it's worth)
Nice article. However, SHARE did not do its fair share of actually ANSWERING any questions tonight. I am highly disappointed in how our neighborhood has been treated during this entire ordeal. Phone numbers and sex offender checks? Wow, sounds like a pretty Christian thing to do to me. I can say this one thing: Our Redeemers membership should come to even more of a grinding halt. There's a reason church membership in Seattle is virtually nonexistent in Seattle and it's due to church “leadership” like that of Our Redeemers. Soon enough, they'll have an empty church for their own shelter. The homeless men at the meeting tonight were the only redeeming part of this meeting. They were eloquent, honest, and were the only reason I could stomach being there. Despite SHARE's piss-poor leadership, these men deserve a shelter. Too bad the process was so awful.
This is absolutely a positive for our community. Would you rather have the homeless sleep in bushes around the neighborhood or have them in a safe place? Sex offenders are required to report their address, so would you rather them have an address our be homeless?
Of these 20 men, SHARE will hold them accountable and give them services to pick themselves up from their bootstraps and become productive members of society.
Fox news I cringed, but its only Q13. There are shower facilities available downtown, its called the Urban Rest Stop and residents are going to be bussed downtown daily. SHARE hasn't been very successful with wooing the neighborhood, but at least they are doing something.
I live close by to the shelter…and at first was hesitant. More I think about it though, I think its a good move. The homeless issue is a pretty big one in Seattle, and one that I think alot of people actually care about. I believe people are sympathetic, but just don't want a shelter in their neighborhood. That's understandable….but shelters will have to be put up somewhere. At the end of the day, somebody will have to be living close to a shelter. Why not here? I have no problem with it.
You're a breath of fresh air. Everyone on this blog (probably only a few posting under numerous names) are completely out of touch. The fanatical, NIMBY have taken over. Don't want homeless in the park, don't want them on the street, don't want them in motor homes, and sure as hell don't want them under a roof. Everyone has the right to move freely around the city, so whats the problem with them getting services (which their tax dollars don't pay for). Last time I checked there weren't any covenants included in any title reports for anyone in ballard. Move to a neighborhood that includes those covenants, then bitch on some blog about all the hoa fees you need to pay.
“Sex offenders are required to report their address, so would you rather them have an address our be homeless?”
Under the SHARE plan, neighbors have no way of knowing which shelter residents may be sex offenders or not. The way you phrased your argument makes no sense.
And, as evidenced by their offensive accusations that neighbors needs are “un-American”, SHARE's definition of what constitutes accountability does not match this community's defintion.
Gee, you're full of generalizations and assumptions.
And for the record, I post under my real name.
Why don't you try posting under yours, before making assumptions about who people on the blog really are, and what they believe?
Sex offenders are required to report their address. They can rent an apartment just as easily as moving into a shelter without reporting. It's all on them, it's their responsibility and thats how the law works. Imagine if you were a landlord and didn't run a full check, like a lot of them don't, because its not their responsibility.
Personally I would rather have sex offenders be housed, have a address to report, and have some sort of path to reentry into society. If the state isn't going to house them, someone should, cause I sure as hell don't want them crawling around my bushes.
Yes, EXACTLY. But the men moving into the church shelter are an unknown quantity and SHARE is refusing to do the checks. Therefore, while I know the identity and criminal record of the guy living at 73rd and 15th, I know NOTHING about any of the people moving into the shelter and have no way of knowing because of the SHARE policy.
I think that you completely missed my point. Anyone can buy a house, and most landlords will rent one to anybody. SHARE isn't running checks just like most landlords aren't in this economy.
It's the sex offender's responsibility to report their address, and it's way better for them to have an address to report than to be homeless.
How do you know the record of the guy on 73td and 15th?
Once tonights koolaid wears off, you will come to your senses. Your under a spell right now. We forgive you.
In my opinion, Churches have very little credibility. It's a mistake to let this shelter open in a residential neighborhood.
Yes, like Leo Rhodes, SHARE member, leader and homeless for 20 years. Apparently still looking for his bootstraps.
OK OK so we're going to have these folks now “living” amongst us. Are there demnds put on these people like the rest of us too? Or is this yet another hammock? Also, this is a huge test. All those for this should be held accountable and those against it should be the ones checking. I want front page attention when one “slips up”. I want progress reports on the acheivements. I want accountability. Too bad this is and had been a GD political football. We're all going to be paying more for everything here now, so one real question is would we rather have government (they don't care or give a rats ass) do this with yet another failed program, or have a church do it? Seperation of church/state? This IS a test. Do NOT attempt to adjust YOUR set people. Isn't being “progressive” wonderfull!!!!!!!!
I don't think this program could be labeled progressive. It's a leftover Republican policy.
Separation of church and State….that's a joke, and used when it's 'convenient' to accomplish ones goals in either direction. In this case 'separation' = no need to follow the law(s), because the church is 'separate' (use of their building to accomplish their 'mission')
Did you know: that the Northminster Presbyterian church, corner of NW 77 th St and 25th AVE NW hosts 'overflow' men from the mentally ill program every Thurs and Fri night (total 7 men) Live in the neighborhood, haven't had any problems.
Just wondering:
Is Our Redeemers planning on hosting tent city this year?
What compensation/$ does Our Redeemers receive from the City of Seattle for hosting?
I remember the good old days of Bill Clinton when AIDS and Homelessness didn't exist and when it was AOK to blow your load on employees. Those were the days!
'SHARE isn't running checks just like most landlords aren't in this economy.'
Are you on drugs ? Most landlords want to collect rent not provide shelter to a loser so they do run credit and background checks in this economic environment. If someone hasn't paid their rent in the last place they probably aren't going to pay in the new one, the landlord definitely wants to know that before they have some loser cruiser move in.
As a Ballard neighbor spending a year abroad, I want to suggest that many other countries have far better and more neighborhood-friendly ways to treat people in need than setting up homeless shelters like this. I hope you will all consider some more significant solutions that address the many and complex root causes of this problem, instead of merely arguing about whether or not homeless camps are to be allowed in our neighborhood. This is what we get for our furiously anti-social and antagonistic individualist attitude about other people who share our country. Reading about the homeless issues in the US and in Ballard in particular is baffling, shocking, and really, it seems incomprehensible. Why should the homeless problem even exist in America? The US is one of the wealthiest nations on earth and yet we let so many people be homeless, what is there to be proud of in that?
Isn't it up to each individual to take care of him or her selves? The government can only do so much.
We don't see what that has to do with creating the Bush recession.
It's not so either/or this question of government vs individuals. individuals in America collectively make the government what it is and what it isn't. The government can do some of what we empower it to do. Look at the Military over the span of the last 70 years or so; we've had absolutely the most capable, first rate military force on the planet — not that they're perfect. But big? you betcha! and excellent? most would argue they're the finest. So for me it doesn't hold water to say we can't expect our government to do a decent job of housing people who are unable to work it out to have a home. Nothing cush or better than what anyone working a decent job could afford, mind you, but something decent and safe. With all we're putting into homeland security, we could do better on homeless security.
We were there last night, and were surprised by the contentious-bordering-on-hostile attitude coming from Our Redeemer's. We're kind of new to this issue, but if this is what the neighborhood has had to deal with we can understand the frustration. They seem to think that they are accountable to no-one, and essentially, we feel that the city has given them more traction in that regard. Our question is this, if they are receiving remuneration from the city, isn't the city ultimately responsible for this?
It's my understanding that Share offers no services at all other than a shelter for the night. There are many other programs out there that serve the homeless, offering shelter, meals, counseling, support in finding work, and help finding permanent housing. I'd rather see OR use Calvary to actually HELP people.
As for bringing in the guys currently sleeping in the bushes … Share says over and over they don't do that.
Activist – Yes I am a “NIMBY” You know why? Because it's MY BACKYARD!! I have a stake in this neighborhood you don't. Bye Bye Go away now.
I have so many mixed feelings about all of this. I truly believe that it's our obligation as a society to help those who will benefit from a hand up. I also believe that those who are incapacitated through no fault of their own — mental illness or physical disabilities — should be taken care of. But, I do not for one minute think that we have any obligation to help chronic alcoholics, drug abusers, general ne'r do wells.
I wonder about other countries that “have far better and more neighborhood-friendly ways to treat people in need” and wish you would tell us more about that.
I spent a couple of weeks in Italy earlier this year, mostly in Rome, and not once was I approached by a homeless person looking for a handout. Only in one small town did I even see a beggar. I was told that in Italy, it would be an absolute disgrace to allow a family member to beg on the street. A disgrace not only to the beggar, but to the family that didn't take care of the beggar.
That differs from the American view that it's society at large that has the obligation. I think that's one of the reasons why the homeless issue is so large here, and not as widespread in other countries.
As you, BallardAbroad, have been exposed to another culture, please expound on what you know. Thank you.
You are correct. No transitional services offered. Just a place to squat with no guidance or direction given to the residents that would help them break the cycle of homelessness. SHARE is all about keeping the homeless right where they are….homeless. As is evident by the fact that many of their residents have been in their sheltlers/tent cities for YEARS. Like Leo Rhodes, 20 yrs homeless and 10+ of them spent living between Tent City 3/Tent City 4 and Nickelsville.
Here is information on a wonderful program that is the exact opposite of SHARE. They screen residents for warrants/sex offender status, partner them with a Life Coach, and expect that they be looking for work or school, etc. To learn more about it you can click on these links or attend the meeting:
Congregations for the Homeless*
http://www.cfhomeless.org/
* First suggested by “giz” posted on the MyBallard blog
CFH Newsletter
http://www.cfhomeless.org/newsletter/CFH-newsle…
We’ve invited Paul Tomilinson of the “life coaching” part of the program to
be with us Sunday evening May 24th at 7pm. We’ll meet at Trinity United
Methodist (6512 23rd Ave. NW)
The exciting part of all this is that most of us are seeking for different
models than merely putting a roof over heads and food in bellies. That
good, charitable work has driven us to seek the next step so that we can
help birth new possibilities that result in the homeless learning anew to
stand on their own two feet as contributers towards the common good.
The model assumes cooperation between congregations and networks. It is a
very exciting possibility.
So, ya’ll come … let’s begin this phase of conversation leading toward
action. Feel free to invite others interested. If you are a member of a
congregation, let the Pastor and the congregation know. If a community
member, let your networks know. We’re all in this together.
Rev. Rich Lang
Trinity United Methodist
From my standpoint, this is not about liberalism, conservatism, or the broader topic of how to address the legitimate societal problem of homelessness. Rather, the issue is accountability. The resistance by the church and SHARE — to implimenting simple and free checks for these men — is simply inexcusable. The argument that people could be victimized by a relative, friend, or neighbor is a non-starter. Sure, it could happen. But there is a reason why residential neighborhoods have restrictive zoning laws that do not allow mixed uses such as this shelter. There is safety built in to a residentially zoned area because people take pride in their homes, have a financial incentive to protect their investments, and have long-term accountability to their neighbors. And any sex offender that owns a home in the area is required to register, thus allowing individual families to set up their own safety procedures for their children. The ONLY reason this shelter is able to circumvent these zoning laws — and the public policy protections that the laws are designed to impliment — is because the church can legally circumvent the laws because of claims that ministering to the homeless is part of its mission.
However, while the church can ignore zoning laws, it is subject to general tort laws. It has a legal duty to act reasonably when advancing its mission. That is why the Catholic Church has been pummeled with lawsuits for negligently supervising its abusive priests, even though it was arguably advancing its religious mission at the time. Similarly, the church here will be held legally accountable if anyone in the neighborhood is physically harmed as a result of something that could have been prevented through the reasonable safety checks requested by affected neighbors.
I don't look forward to hearing about one of my neighbors being harmed, and sincerely hope nothing happens. But if something does happen, I do look forward to representing my neighbor(s) in a lawsuit because the empty building where this shelter will be located, as well as the Our Redeemer's church where Pastor Steve Grumm pastors, will be sold to satisfy the judgment. Frankly, the fact that Pastor Grumm is now on record as purposely ignoring reasonable safety precautions will make for a rather easy case to make in court.
“Most landlords want to collect rent not provide shelter to a loser so they do run credit and background checks in this economic environment”
-sunset hill res
this is incorrect. Most, if not all landlords only run the credit checks. they don't run 'background checks' (calling a former landlord only indicates they paid up on time).
even a sex offender is usually capable of paying the rent.
you weren't accosted by ONE gypsy in Rome?
I find that hard to believe.
there's usually hordes of them at the standard tourist stops.
to prove your point though, they're often not italian, but from other countries (romania?) with different cultures.
Strike, well said.
Churches can do some good once in awhile. If you’re getting a work party together to repair an elderly person’s front porch that’s one thing, but opening a group home with 20 additional strangers into a residential area is something different. It’s rude.
Yes, there were gypsies on the Metro, but they were singing and dancing, dressed in bright clothes, carrying babies, and were not at all aggresive. You either put money in their cups or you didn't. I didn't.
'Learning to stand on their own two feet.' A lot like Real Change does too. Thanks, Rev. Lang.
Well, I'm living now on a small Caribbean island with strong ties to Europe. When I was here 25 years ago, there was serious poverty, starving dogs in the streets, serious malnourishment, and a very hands-off, very American, everone for themselves attitude about the poor. But today, most have good homes, drive good cars, have access to a decent to excellent education. There are a number of apartment houses and condo-like developmens that house the poor. People who don't work live there and have a small but decent stipend for expensive. It's not great, but no one is on the streets. I'd say about 10-20% of these homes seem to me to be somewhat run down; maybe even slumlike compared to Ballard, but 80% are in very good shape. And many who have low wage jobs live in something Ballard hasn't known for a long time, affordable housing. After school we give a ride home to a girl who lives with her family in a very plain, simple home. BTW, going to see the doctor is a breeze; it's free or very cheap, there are good docs in even small villages, and most often you can see them on short notice without a wait. It's not perfect, there are injustices here too to be sure, and some carry more of the load than others, but i have to say it's nice knowing that no one here is homeless, and that I don't have to deal here with these kinds of difficult questions, because here the broader society has just said no to homelessness. Why can't America? or Seattle, or Ballard? Seems like homelessness creates a lot of problems for all the gloating, self-satisfied, NIMBY, I won't give a single penny, skinflint attitude that we get to have instead of a solution. I can go on but need to get back to my telecommuting job. I don't have any intent to detract from this thread btw, it just seems like a good idea to discuss these kinds of issues as well as the daily details. Really, imo, the homeless situation just doesn't have to exist in the US.
I wasn't at the meeting, but from these comments I can tell nothing changed. SHARE and the church still aren't listening to the neighbors, and in fact are still doing name calling. This will cause conflict between the shelter residents and the neighbors surrounding them. I hope I'm wrong, and that everyone will play nice.
It's also very important to state that this is a very special circumstance. They are not hosting this in “their” church. They are hosting these people in an abandonned church that they happen to own because it failed and the owners did not want to sell the church to a developer. Why don't they host this group in their church? What are THEY afraid of? They have absolutely no moral high-ground because they are at least as guilty of NIMBY as anyone else.
I'm mystified that so many people are unaware of the free searchable sex offender registry. Why would the current economy be a barrier to searching out sex offenders? It's free!
For example, try doing a search using the address of our local Ballard Safeway at 1423 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107. You might be amazed to find that there are 12 registered sex offenders within a mile of that address. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and you can see their pictures. I've been amazed at how much more information is out there with just a quick google search of their names. Not just amazed, in some cases I've been horrified, but this is a free search that it seems a lot of people don't know about.
http://www.icrimewatch.net/results.php?AgencyID…
From this link, you can choose which WA state county you want to search: http://ml.waspc.org/Counties.aspx
I have lived next to the old Denny's for a few months now which has become quite the spot for homeless congregations. While the ones I have talked to seem perfectly nice, it isn't hard to tell that they're often drunk which leads to a lot of yelling in the wee hours of the morning. If nothing else, it's incredibly annoying – especially with the nicer weather upon us (open windows). At least if they're provided a spot to get a decent night's sleep with some monitoring for alcohol, drugs and noise, it may cut down on some of it. Why not in our backyard? If everyone finds a spot in their backyard – we can cut down on the problems. Ballard should be proud.
REmember: When all else fails, blame Clinton.
I suppose we could buy one less stealth bomber and we'd have enough cash to house and treat every homeless person for a few years. But you know, we gotta have priorities, that's why the wealthiest nation in the world has such lousy social services and so many people without healthcare.
The job market is saturated with illegal immigrants. If you’re not very ambitious and a substance user/abuser, then you’re out of luck.
Activist wrote…..”Of these 20 men, SHARE will hold them accountable and give them services to pick themselves up from their bootstraps and become productive members of society.”
Doesnt pulling oneself up by his or her bootstrap imply that him or her will be doing the pulling up? But of course not! Right? Thats what government is for correct? Thats what the evil rich peoples taxes are for. You know the evil ones of which I speak. The ones that chose not to do drugs. The ones who chose not to break the laws. The ones who chose to have a job. Pure Evil!
Activist..I am sure you have plenty of space in your govermnet subsidized housing to take in this poor down and out people who have done nothing wrong unlike the evil rich. You are such a better person then any of us Home Owners who are directly affected by this action. And whose offspring (Which we are raising to also be productive members of society) are directly affected by the potential threat of unmonitored, unregistered sex offenders.
Please save your it takes a village crap and give us back our neighborhood
You hit on a very good point. Lack of affordable housing + Lack of affordable health care = homelessness.
The jobs out there now, btw, are mostly part time. With little of no medical coverage. If I had any sort of medial condition I'd be homeless by now too.
Some are homeless because of drug and/or alcohol problems too. Many have been lumping the homeless into one big category. Life isn't that clear cut. The handling by SHARE of this situation, though, has caused a lot of people to have a low opinion of homeless advocacy groups and anger about those who will be sheltered in the church.
anyone can “do” something. it's taking responsibility for what you're doing!
Not sure if you're right, that people are unaware of this service, or you don't understand that the accuracy of this service depends on convicted sex offenders registering their current address (likely a condition of their release). Sex offenders can avoid registering, however, by becoming “homeless” and thus having no fixed address. Hence the importance of running a different kind of background check on the homeless men who will be living at this shelter.
activist–
come out from the rock you living under and come to terms w/the fact that not all sex offenders are going to report where they live. check out the various websites that list offenders. “address unknown” is listed far too many times. your ignorance simply amazes me.
don't call me to your backyard to pick up their poop!
the homeless should have to become congregants to be able to sleep there. they would have to be there every sunday and then community service at least once a week. let's see how many of them will stay then.
I wouldn't be surprised because alot of those houses that are left in the industrial area around Safeway are Sex Offender transitional housing so makes sense you found them there. Notice some of them have the same address, it's not that they met in prison and found they had loads in common and couldn't wait to get a house together, they were placed in those houses because they had no where else to go.
Oh now Kim, don't act so stupid yourself. Having a shelter run a back ground check looking for sex offender status is not the same as an individual complying with his or her conditions of release. How can you go on acting as if this is one and the same.
Will you stop flogging this dead horse?
Hey Stanley – remember the time my girlfriend and I rented from you —- a guy friend of ours wanted to move to share the costs, and we pretended that he was gay so that you wouldn't object to our alternate life style.
Oh boy – what you didn't know about us.
Sex offenders do not “avoid” registering by registering as homeless….. they still register and most likely list where they are being sheltered – (if they are being sheltered. )
Having shelters run different kinds of background checks does not insure that individuals register. There are no requirements of shelters to share information found through background checks.
I suggest that this focus on tracking sex offenders is not the work of shelter organizations, but of criminal justice organizations.
Tell you what, the first poo that gets dropped in my yard I will reluctantly pickup up, bag up and deliver to Our Redeemers door step with compliments of the Calvary Shelter written on it.
I do not need nightly “safety” patrols on my block. I fear that my kids can't walk to Salmon Bay park safely once these guys are here. They get to move in and we have to lock up walk, a different way and hope their patrols don't include monitoring who lives where and what we own etc. This is yet to be founded with direct evidence, I would be more than thrilled if nothing of the sort happens but based on the other location reports of the activity surrounding a SHARE shelter I am not optimistic.
All of us neighbors that live directly around the Calvary building will need to keep and eye out for activity there. We will need to report it to the police and Our Redeemers. Unfortunately it now becomes our responsibility to keep them accountable or at least keep them aware. They will come by for the first month then fade away. They are getting some kind of monetary support for sponsoring SHARE surely. This is not about doing the right thing for people otherwise they would have more of a role to actually HELP these men not give them a place to sleep. Support by their volunteers to feed or provide job searches. How about they hire them to do odd jobs around their church or find offer counseling? This is about getting something for relatively nothing, not their church, just a space they get to benefit from “renting” out to SHARE. My biggest issue is with the church they are enabling SHARE to continue to play by their own rules and disregard the community that they invade. Shameful Our Redeemers!
If the SHARE program is so successful and gives services to help these men and women pull themselves up by their bootstraps, why do they not have their success stories at these meetings? It is always those who will use the shelter, not those who have used the SHARE system in the past and are now no longer in need of these types of services. Where are the SHARE success stories if this program is so wonderful?
It's not wonderful. In fact it's being shown as one of the least successful homeless advocacy programs. The programs in his comment are different groups entirely.
Would you let them walk to Salmon Bay park regardless of the SHARE shelter? This city is far from safe, no matter where the homeless sleep. Look at poor Todd Boettger…he was just walking down the street. Or hell, for that matter, they may get attacked by a bear.
Bears don't usually attack unless they are hungry and think you're food or you mess with their babies. I do worry more about gangs and drugged-out, angry teens than I do homeless people. But after the soup kitchen debacle it seems that drugged-out angry folks are a big part of the homeless population that has taken up our neighborhood as residence. I hope that the guys who are staying at the SHARE shelter are NOT from that population. If not, they may actually deter the drug dealers from the area. I did know there were a few homeless guys who tried to self-police the meal program to keep it under control, but they were out numbered. So, I'm going into this with hope that maybe something good can come out of it – even though I won't thank SHARE or Our Redeemers because they have shown themselves to be irresponsible, myopic jerks. This all could've gone down so much better for everyone. Let's hope it plays out well despite all that and all do what we can to see that it does.
“The US is one of the wealthiest nations on earth and yet we let so many people be homeless, what is there to be proud of in that?”
“Let” people be homeless? oh please. it's so damn easy to be homeless in this country because there are so many bleeding hearts that let people shuck all responsibility for the piss poor choices they make in life. Exhibit A is Leo Rhodes. Homeless for 20 years? Give me a break. I was homeless for about a month when I first moved up here 19 years ago. I worked three jobs and lived out of my car until I saved up enough cash to move into an apartment … people like Rhodes aren't down on their luck, they're asking all of us to subsidize their lifestyle. I didn't want to stay homeless, ergo I did the work necessary not to remain so. The Leo Rhodes of this world are content to sit on their asses and let pitiful saps feel guilty about them … not me.
http://www.familywatchdog.us/
OK Bellevue,
get out of here with your “tent city Solutions”
Leo Rhodes does NOT live in Seattle anymore, he is back with his tribe.
And speaking of Leo, as a Native American he has more right to this land than you do.
Just sick of White People!
These people don t need any social services. What they need is fair wages.
So next time you go to a fast food restaurant, get your uppity white nose off you butt and tip!
SHARE is the biggest shelter provider in King County. Right there is a success story.
They provide over 500 people with a place to live
If it wasn t for SHARE where would they be staying? in the bushes by your house?
Sorry Honey but you don t have much say there LOL
You might have a stake in the neighborhood but no one cares about you. And reality check, they are moving in LOLOLOL
Strike, I hope we don't have to call on your services. SHARE has played Pastor Steve like a cheap fiddle. Steve, unable to accept a scenario where he looks bad, keeps forging ahead, neighbors be damned.
When someone is injured by the situation at the unmonitored vacant building at 23rd and 70th, Our Redeemer's and the Lutheran Church will pay a heavy price.
Money is only part of it. The greater loss will be a community that can no longer trust Our Redeemer's leadership to do the right thing.
The right thing, IMHO, is to send SHARE packing and expand Our Redeemer's other missions into the building at 23rd & 70th. Why not a Sunday service, Boy Scouts or other activities that provide real meaning to the community?
What bothers me most about this shelter is that it will bring 20 ADDITIONAL homeless men to Ballard every night. We already have more than enough. If Our Redeemers wants to “minister to the homeless”, why can't they gather 20 homeless from the existing ranks and lock them up at Cavalry every night. At least that would really be getting 20 homeless off the streets of Ballard.
Wow! Have you ever even been to a church service at Our Redeemer's? (Note: this is not the Calvary location…Our Redeemer's is on 85th) They are filled to the brim and then some!! Where in the heck do you get your information? There's no grinding halt there! Maybe you should try a little kindness or whatever and go from piece of mind to peace of mind….
We are sick of you too…..Why don't you join Leo.
Overheard an interesting conversation on the bus yesterday after work. The people talking were a few seats behind me, but their voices were loud. One of the men told the other that a friend of his was really glad not to be living on the street any longer. This friend had gained a lot of weight during the time he was homeless because of all the free food that's available in Seattle. “Oh, man, there is food everywhere! Food banks, church suppers, soup kitchens! It's quite the day when a guy lives on the street and gains weight, and has to get off the street to lose it!”
When Our Redeemers hosted a tent city in their parking lot on 85th, I think they had rules prohibiting substance abuse on tent city grounds. So what happened? There was a marked increase in drinking and drug use in nearby woods. There was also an increase in loitering and littering in areas near the tent city. I wanted to be welcoming to homeless solutions in my neighborhood, but can't say I would welcome this particular “solution” again.
Yeah we could but after few years we'd still have the bomber. The bums? They'd be back on the streets in a month.
Interesting, Jenny Craig for the homeless?
I was driving near the courthouse last night and saw a line of people for the outdoor soup kitchen. I'd guess over 150 folks in line around dinner time. Looked like the Bush depression of 2009.
News flash: Not everyone is Christian (or wants to convert to being Christian). Forcing religion on people who need shelter is not the answer — getting the shelter provider to work with the community is.
Dear Mr. Screwtape,
If you don't see it as we do, sorry, but that doesn't mean that we are stupid.
This is clearly just another example of enabling, the sex offender issue is just one layer of the whole stinking onion.
If it wasn't for SHARE, they'd have to make better choices. Thanks to SHARE, their choices never have to improve.
It's quite the accomplishment to be the biggest, most irresponsible organization involved with the homeless of Seattle…
Accepting religion, especially when it is the source of the compassion that they would benefit by, to honor the giver, to make of yourself what you can, is totally acceptable, and completely expected in my book.
SHARE is flawed by ignoring that premise, by ignoring it's importance, and by ignoring the safety concerns of this community, etc.
Religion isn't the bad guy, how it is being misused is the issue.
who said they have to be christians or would have to convert?
It is more of a comment on the quality of the food as the quantity. What always seems to be in abundance is day old pastries, breads, pastas and crackers. Soup kitchens serve hearty pasta/cheese conglomerations designed to fill one up for a long day in the cold . There is little fresh fruits or vegetables
And true, it can be hard to go hungry in this city.
If you can't see the simple distinctions between personal responsiblity and the responsibilities of social service programs it does say something about you, if not stupid, then willfully ignorant might be more appropriate. You can choose not to understand if you wish – despite all evidence of how the world works – – it is no skin off my back.
How is this clearly an example of enabling?
Frantic Freddie 1 day ago
Yes, like Leo Rhodes, SHARE member, leader and homeless for 20 years. Apparently still looking for his bootstraps.
MR Chopper –
What are you talking about?
You seem to have comprehension difficulty.
Do you think that you are replying to another thread?
Are you saying that Leo Rhodes is a sex offender?
Are you just trying to be obtuse?
wow…ok I get it.
iggy screwy…
Several weeks ago as soon as the 'vote' was mentioned, I offered to arrange for media coverage, and stand outside the church with a table for anyone to vote, or even get banners made. I posted my name, and email address if anyone wanted to be involved.
I did not get on email back. That really surprised me.
And when I asked why on the forum, several of you said you didn't want to give your name and get involved.
If some of you would have stood outside the church on the night of the vote, perhaps it would not have got the go-ahead.
What did you expect Shane?
Shane
I was there, late. I spoke to one parishioner, also late, about my concerns regarding accountability, impact on the neighborhood, etc. He listened. I also pointed out how many cars were in the parking lot and wondered aloud how many of them still live around here. I told him that I walked to both ORs and Calvary and noted he didn't. Didn't change anything.
So Ballard is hosting a bum convention?
Hi! I'm a born christian and just moved to seattle a couple of weeks ago. I am homeless and I am looking for decent shelter while a get on my feets. I stayed in the Gospel mission down town Seattle but they have a lots of bugs, because they provide shower and cuts for the dogs in the neigborhood and is the same spot we sleep. thats not a apropiate for nobody, if you can help me some how, with information or even a job. I am construction painter and I do small repairs in the house, clean yards. thank you and God Bless you (323)289-4435 cell