February 2023 Newsletter
Northwest Hospitality’s different programs allow us to serve our unhoused neighbors in a variety of ways. This month, we are highlighting one of our sponsored mutual aid partners: HOCS Special Requests and General Supplies.
From HOCS volunteer Joyce Hoffman —
The acronym HOCS stands for Homeless Organizing Community Seattle. We are people in the Seattle area with varying relationships to homelessness working to provide for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in the greater Seattle area, starting from the most basic needs and working towards justice.
This NWH Special Project above began with outreach in the SODO (South of Downtown) area of Seattle. We have been trying to serve two sites there, twice a week, (Sunday and Wednesday) for about three years now.
In 2020 we were accepted as one of the Special Projects in NWH. This helps us fundraise, keep track of finances, and be covered by a 501(c)(3) organization. Basic needs as mentioned above include such things as tents, sleeping bags, clothes, water, food, hygiene products, and harm reduction supplies. At some point we also started to provide an ice pack exchange in warm months and full propane tank exchange in the colder months.
Image is of some of the supplies that HOCS provides to unsheltered people in Seattle.
We’ve contributed our own monies towards items as well as being supported by donations to the NWH site (and from NWH itself), donations of items from friends, folks on sites like Buy Nothing Groups, supplies from the Peoples Harm Reduction Alliance in Seattle, and many others.
Images are of unhouse residents in SODO Seattle and HOCS volunteer Joyce with supplies for distribution.
The advantage of repeatedly going to the two locations in SODO is in getting to know the people living unsheltered there. Beside providing material goods, we think it also fosters community and mutual aid among us all. One of the residents I’ve had the pleasure of knowing for over 2 years said recently that he comes out to meet us on Sundays as much for the conversation as anything else. And I have gotten as much out of those conversations as he has!
Partner Spotlight: Olympic College NuRsing Program
NWH is so excited to be partnering with the Olympic College nursing program this year. Nursing students will be gaining field experience while working to benefit vulnerable members of our community. This quarter, Yasmin, Mary Jane, Hardeep, and Sanjog, will work with HOCS to evaluate the homeless community in Seattle using a windshield survey, community assessment tool, and health needs assessments. They will also provide simple treatments and education about seeking appropriate treatment. These students will analyze data collected and also review current health policies, issues, and legislation related to population health. We are looking forward to the results of all this work and are happy to be able to offer this valuable experience to nursing students.
Upcoming Event: Environmental Hospitality
KINGSTON CLEANUP
Saturday, March 4, 2023
11:30 AM 3:30 PM
Northwest Hospitality volunteers come together to clean up our neighborhood, show our homeless neighbors a little compassion, and share some dignity and humanity.
Thank you to everyone who supports our work of helping those in our community that are experiencing homelessness or unstable housing. We couldn’t do any of this important work without your support.
Ways to get involved
Volunteer - nwhospitality.org/volunteer
Donate Funds - nwhospitality.org/contribute
Donate Items - Contact us for our current needs