What We Do!
(We are doers not talkers)
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Ballard Sweeps Alternative
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Change the Narrative
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Questionnaire
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Service Provider
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Emergency Shelter
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Families of the Homeless
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Art
Ballard Sweeps Alternative
The BSAC task is two-fold: First, to provide evidence to support the premise that sweeps are harmful to the homeless and ineffective in accomplishing the goal of removing people from the streets. We obtain this evidence by directly monitoring sweeps and reporting our observations to the necessary parties, including civil authorities, press, as well as, the public.Secondly, we seek and investigate timely alternatives to sweeps including creation of sanctioned encampments and Tiny Home Villages.
Change The Narrative
The “Changing the Narrative Committee” was formed to correct a widely held narrative that portrays those who are experiencing homelessness in purely negative terms. The beliefs and attitudes expressed in that narrative are dehumanizing, sustain the status quo, and act as barriers to positive change. This harmful narrative has become deeply embedded in our society, but it should not be allowed to continue to go unchecked. In the absence of an alternative understanding, the public will rely on simple explanations and accept the negative narrative that is based primarily on anecdotes and stereotypes.
So, the Changing the Narrative Committee seeks to create that alternative understanding, or revised narrative, by offering in person presentations to faith-based communities, fraternal organizations, political action groups, etc. These presentations are an effort to change hearts and minds. Changing minds by advancing a compelling case based on facts rather than conjecture. And changing hearts by reminding the viewer what they already know deep down inside, but need to be reminded of, and that is the recognition of our shared being.
Questionaire Committee
The survey committee uses a simple questionnaire to learn more about a person's lived experience of homelessness: An individual is invited to anonymously participate with a member of the task force in a conversation which focuses on 5 questions: Age? How long have you been homeless? What would you like the general public to know about you as a person? What would you like the general public to know about homelessness? What are you hoping for? The responses are collated, shared with the task force and will be shared with the general public through channels to be determined.
Service Provider Committee
The goal of the Service Provider Committee is to inform and connect advocates, their companions, and the general population with services provided by various organizations in the Puget Sound area. We seek to publicize information about services available to the unhoused at several locations in the Ballard area, including at the Public Library, Ballard Foodbank, Edible Hope and others. It is our belief that one-on-one advocacy is the most effective means of connecting our unhoused companions to the services they need.
Emergency Shelter
Families of Homeless
Art Appetizer
Ballard Community Dinners at Quest Church Wednesday nights brings a wide assortment of people seeking a hot, delicious and nutritional meal. We offer an Art Appetizer to the meal, opening the back room up an hour before dinner with art materials, a craft of the evening, music, couches and a caring atmosphere. We firmly believe that within all of us is a basic creative spirit that needs along with food and shelter, nurturing a place to exist.
During the "appetizer" hour, we hope to encourage creativity and a sense of play for neighbors without a place of their own. We welcome all to either join us for a craft, draw or doodle, or sit and relax for an hour of comfort among friends.