Here are the organizations and projects we are partnering with in Kitsap County.
(All these organizations work together to provide Supportive Housing and additional services to low-income and people experiencing homelessness in Kitsap County.)
Peninsula Community Health Services (PCHS)
Peninsula Community Health Services (PCHS) offers health care services to patients experiencing homelessness regardless of their ability to pay. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the support of Kitsap County, each person experiencing homelessness was given the choice of staying at the Kitsap Fairgrounds, under the direction of the Kitsap Rescue Mission, or at the Bremerton Salvation Army facility. The goal is to reduce the likelihood that these people will contract and spread the COVID-19 virus. Regardless of the facility, PCHS is providing medical and behavioral health care to these people for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. PCHS has their mobile medical and behavioral health teams located at the Kitsap Fairgrounds. PCHS is also onsite at the Salvation Army facility in Bremerton. At these two locations, PCHS is providing medical and behavioral health (mental health illness and substance abuse) treatment to each person experiencing homelessness who wants to engage in treatment. Normally, PCHS sees these same patients at their clinics. Seeing them in the field costs much more, and is more risky than seeing them in their offices, but helps prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the homeless community.
Seeing their patients in the field is a big drain on the PCHS operational budget. This great medical organization welcomes any additional funds.
Additionally, PCHS is waiving all patient expenses for COVID-19 care if a patient cannot pay.
PCHS currently sees more than 34,000 patients, of which one in five are identified as being in some form of homelessness. PCHS is committed to serving this population, as well as veterans, school-based children, and the elderly.
Many of their patients are uninsured or underinsured. PCHS still administers healthcare to their patients regardless of their ability to pay. The PCHS philosophy is:
“Only when all those who have perceived barriers are able to achieve proper health care can our entire community aim for health and wellness”.
Kitsap Mental Health Services (KMHS)
Kitsap Mental Health Services believes that for persons struggling with chronic mental health illness or substance abuse disorders, and are homeless (or at risk of being homeless), “Housing is Health Care.” That’s why, together with longtime partners in housing and health in our community, KMHS has worked these past several years to bring to reality the 72 unit apartment complex now known as “Pendleton Place.” Named after longtime housing advocate Lloyd Pendleton, who inspired our own Kitsap community to birth a permanent supported housing project to house some of the most vulnerable among our area residents, KMHS’ Pendleton Place is expected to open its doors in the Fall of 2021. Staffed 24/7, Pendleton Place will provide its’ tenants, who have chronic behavioral health disorders, and are homeless (or at risk of homelessness), with a place to call home. Pendleton Place is designed for residents with ready access to health care (for mental health illness, substance abuse disorders, and physical health), connection with employment, and other supportive services. This type of permanent supportive housing is known to work so well toward improved health and well-being.
Pendleton Place is fully funded! Site work is expected to begin late this summer.
Donations to Kitsap Mental Health Services, specifically for Pendleton Place, will be used to further a welcoming living environment in common spaces and individual living spaces.
Kitsap Community Resources (KCR)
The mission of Kitsap Community Resources (KCR) is to create hope and opportunity to Kitsap County families experiencing low income. KCR does this through programs and services that promote self-sufficiency and stability.
KCR was established in 1965 as a Community Action agency to address the social and human challenges faced by those living in poverty in Kitsap County. KCR administers, among other services:
- Housing services
- Veteran’s assistance
- WIC
- Early Learning
- Weatherization
- Energy assistance
- Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) and other job training and placement services
- Food service for Meals on Wheels
- AmeriCorps
KCR operates 13 sites in Kitsap County, and touches an estimated 10% of Kitsap’s 270,000 population or, 27,000 people.
It is estimated that 13% of Kitsap County residents live below the Federal Poverty Line (FPL) of $26,200 for a family of four. With support from the county, KCR operates the Housing Solutions Center. This is a one-stop coordinated entry for anyone needing assistance with immediate, temporary, or permanent shelter. In 2019, the Center processed 13,000 inquiries, and gave assistance to 6,129 people. The Women, Infant and Children (WIC) nutrition food program for newborn and young children served 4,650 parents and children in 2019. And KCR’s Early Learning and Head Start classes serve 380 children among sites throughout the county.
KCR is considered an essential business. As such KCR has remained open throughout restrictions placed on businesses since COVID-19 became known. Donations to KCR are used to further the mission and expand services to address unmet needs in the community, such as expanding its’ domestic violence classes, parenting education, and job training.
Scarlet Road
Scarlet Road offers the hope of freedom to those who have been sexually exploited, by reducing and removing the barriers for those leaving sexual exploitation. Many victims of exploitation experience barriers in the realm of the homeless and substance abuse. This along with employment, mental health, and criminal history barriers as well as others, are all a part of the wrap around support services that are provided at Scarlet Road. Once safely out of abuse, Scarlet Road journeys alongside survivors to find full healing from the exploitation. Scarlet Road often partners with other local organizations, such as health care service providers, social service providers, and law enforcement to provide a comprehensive and holistic support system for those leaving sexual exploitation and sex trafficking.
Additionally, Scarlet Road seeks to prevent victimization by intervening, and educating those who are often the targets of sexual exploitation, through a variety of training and support programs within the community targeted at social service providers, 6-12 educators and youth in schools throughout our community.
Scarlet Road is working to change social perspectives, systemic barriers, and create a community understanding for preventing and serving victims of sexual exploitation, with the hope that every person that comes through their doors will experience a vibrant life of freedom.