 |
|
Seattle-area alumni: Here's an important opportunity to reconnect with fellow Whitworth alumni and serve those who need your help. The Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) (515 Third Ave., Seattle, WA 98104) is one of the largest multiservice centers for homeless adults in the Pacific Northwest. Its mission is to break the cycle of homelessness by providing emergency services, overnight shelter, clinical services and supportive housing in downtown Seattle.
Dearborn says that volunteers are needed at the Connections facility to serve breakfast or lunch any day of the week, to anywhere from 40-60 clients seeking employment and housing. DESC could also use help with laundry, passing out hygiene supplies, and providing towels for showers. Also working at DESC is Callie (Gruel) Welbaum, '03, as a project manager at Connections. She mentions that in addition to Connections, the shelter itself is one of the most important parts of DESC, as it provides food, shelter and other basic services for more than 200 people a day.
Other volunteer opportunities at DESC are listed here, and more information can be found by calling the volunteer coordinator at 206.515.1517, e-mailing volunteer@desc.org, or visiting the website. Other Whitworth GOLD alumni at DESC: Matt Gruelkirk, '07, Andy Wakefield, '03 |
Bethany Dearborn, '05, began working at DESC this past year as a case manager at its employment and housing assistance program, Connections, working with clients to help them obtain jobs and housing. "The client and I create a transition plan that outlines concrete goals through addressing barriers they might have," she explains. DESC also provides breakfast and lunch, computer labs and classes to aid in job searches and skills, laundry and shower facilities, and other provisions to help clients overcome those barriers.