miws
Member Profile
We had a Mom and 11 month old Baby Girl move into camp last evening, and here's the current list of her needs:
Formula-blue
Diapers-size 5
Baby lotions
Baby clothes (for girl)
Sweaters
Baby wipes
Size 5, 5 1/2, or 6 baby shoes
Baby socks
I'll update this list, or start a new one, as more baby needs arise.
Thanks!
Mike
Think about this one, folks . . .
Just cogitate a minute.
*slaps hand over mouth and puts tape on fingers*
Cogitating.....
Bringing a baby to Nickelsville = S.B.J.
Seriously Bad Judgment
—both on the part of the mother AND on the part of Nickelsville "authorities."
No matter how warm and fuzzy it might seem to some folks . . . you do NOT bring a baby into a homeless camp where the facilities are spartan and the sanitary conditions are poor.
You do NOT bring a baby into a homeless camp when there are safe shelters that will put you and your baby up until you find housing.
Not even for one day.
This baby and mother obviously need help of the kind that Nickelsville cannot provide even under the best of circumstances.
I am going to make the following three phone calls:
1) Mayor's Office
. . . if no timely response . .
2) Seattle Times
. . . if no interest . . .
3) the appropriate social welfare agency.
I invite anyone who feels similarly to also make some phone calls. In the meantime I would recommend to the NV staff that they set up some contacts with local shelters or social service agencies. For anyone with a baby, they should be acting as a referral service, not as a shelter provider.
–David Preston
P.S. "Odd reality" indeed. An attempt at humor, perhaps? If so, not funny.
flowerpetal
Member Profile
This is a deep rooted problem. If NV turned away a mother with an 11 month baby; the next option might be the jungle; or under a bridge. Homeless individuals; and families are turned away daily for the reason that there is not enough room. The number of homeless families in Seattle and King County is startling and these statistics hold true for the whole country. So, for now, I believe this is a compassionate choice made by NV.
2 ??'s
Have you ever been to NV?
Have you ever been to a 3rd world country where they raise babies in the dirt?
'I Wonder'---Spot On! FlowerPetal--Right on!
Mike, Westside Baby may very well have some the listed items for the baby, plus other resources.
http://www.westsidebaby.org/programs-and-services/programs-and-services
Here is their Mission Statement:
WestSide Baby, in partnership with our community, provides essential items to local children in need by collecting and distributing diapers, clothing, toys and equipment.
DP....another alternative/thought is that you may be able to utilize your concern by finding someone in West Seattle that has an extra room/space, for Mom & child. Just a thought.
linda
Member Profile
Please consider the possibility this mother either may not have known about the resources available to her or may have already been in contact with those resources but has not yet been connected with a place to stay. This may have been her last safe haven; even if not an ideal choice she may have run out of other options. At least she is now in a safe community, has shelter, food and, with this post, a call is out to meet other needs (like diapers).
Between WestSide Baby, Family Promise, and other local social services I am sure they can come up with a better solution. A little dirt never hurt a baby - but unstable living environments and unsafe people do. I don't think that CPS is the best option here either, but I don't think this is a a safe space for a baby or for a mama and babe.
NV should consider other service providers who are MUCH better fits for a homeless family.
I Wonder:
2 Answers
Yes, I have been to Nickelsville. Twice. I repeat, it is NO place for a baby, especially when there ARE shelters that will take this mother in.
Yes, I have been to 3rd World countries. Cambodia, Vietnam, Nicaragua. In all three places, I have visited hospitals and homeless communities.
I Wonder, your question seems like a non sequiter. Are you advocating raising babies in dirt or what? Are you saying Don't worry about it; it's only dirt? —If so, it doesn't seem like a very strong argument.
FlowerPetal: You're wrong. The compassionate, intelligent, and CORRECT choice would have been to say to this mother: We'll try to hook you up with some housing, but you can't stay here.
If this woman told NV that the only option for her was NV or the street, then she's either not telling the truth or she just doesn't know what's out there in terms of social services (or hasn't looked). In fact there are LOTS of places where you can take a baby and say, "I'm homeless, please help." --and they will.
They will help.
I'm saying your argument reeks of an agenda. There are millions of starving children in the world who live in dirt houses and find a way to survive under much more intolerable conditions. Living in NV is far better than the jungle under I-5. Who are you to be critical of the mother, NV and the resources this person might have? If you have an argument, start a thread, stop hijacking this one.
flowerpetal
Member Profile
wsmama3, sometimes there is no better fit. Really, sometimes there is no room anywhere else. You are right, WestSide Baby and Family Promise are wonderful resources. And I am sure that they know that there are families who get turned away daily and have no other choice.
miws
Member Profile
funkietoo Thank you! I should have thought of them!
David, you know I love ya, man, but how clean are the shelters? I've heard not very much so.
What if none of these other resources were able to immediately place Mom and Baby?
Nickelsville does contact CPS whenever a family with children under 18 checks in. I don't know the scope of the contact, but it is done.
Now, may we please get this thread back to what this little one needs, and the suggestions of our thoughtful community?
Mike
Wonder how long before the newborn humans and pregnant women show up. What a great place to have a baby!No mosquitoes, plenty of fresh water...great toilet facilities!!!YEAH!!!
*sarcasm off*
I agree 98% with DP. The only 2 places I disagree is that she should not have been turned away last night. Likely it was after the shelters had closed and other help was unavailable.But clearly by today all available outside help needs to be sought and as soon as something else is available she needs to go there ASAP.Taking care of babies at the very least in our corner of the world requires running water and a steady supply of the right food.
DP,"P.S. "Odd reality" indeed. An attempt at humor, perhaps? If so, not funny. "
Oddreality is a moniker I have used for years. No offense but it really should not be a problem unless you think I ought to change my name to post here?? I can't help the tone of the threads here...I suppose I could have been another flower or something but oddreality is how I view the world...
Don't you think it is a bit of an odd reality when others think all this stuff is ok? I do..I feel like I live in an alternate universe sometimes the things I read.Reality is stranger than fiction.JMPOV
This is the only other thing I disagree with you on.:)
odd reality, DP, et.al., have you any idea what the camp is already doing to place the families that are there? Have you been there to research the steps they go through because they realize this is not the optimal situation for families with children, no matter their age? Before you start judging , before you start jumping down throats, before you assume that nothing is being done, go check it out. And come back and tell us what you find out. Thank you.
You go Jan! Way to call out the assumptions and encourage to check the facts firs.
Looking forward to hearing their report out!
I don't have to go check it out. You are already telling me all they are doing and how I should think and how I should feel about all this.
Did you my read my post? No...I said it was GOOD they took her in but she needed out of there ASAP...Thank you for telling me all they are doing to make that happen. I hope it works. No baby, no child ,no family belongs there.
I happen to think DP is on the right track..enough people talk to authorities or get it in the news etc the faster they might find room somewhere..squeaky wheel and all that..
No harm in trying to get people taken care of is there?? Or is only ok to do it the way you do it??
It does worry me that there may be pregnant women and newborns there eventually.[Sorry about my sarcasm in the previous post,it was unnecessary.] It just appears to me some that people here would be thrilled if they were there.Somebody else for them to take care of.Another assumption no doubt...but you are making major assumptions about me too.I am appalled that there is no room at any shelter for any person like that..
I am going to TRY to stay out of any thread about NV...just too difficult for me at this point in my own life... besides you do not want any dissenters or different opinions only cheerleaders posting about NV.I am not going to get involved in this mess because that is what I see..a mess.
Good luck to all of you.Hope you do good. Hope you can keep it up for the duration no matter how many years it lasts. Hope the babies all survive it.The pets too.
funkie, too. I would gladly go if I could. I know Mike, have known him for years. But..I am currently under treatment for advanced kidney disease, dialysis 3 times a week,testing for a kidney transplant, lowered immune system, and I tend to stay away form crowd, from gatherings of people in a confined area. I have a close friend who goes to the camp on a daily basis and has for quite some time now, and I am aware of what is going on in the camp. Please don't make this about me!
Hey JanS,
I'm thinking my post wasn't clear. It was meant to mean --'good post Jan! Thank you for calling people on their assusmptions and encouraging them to visit the camp to find out what the camp is doing to place families'.
miws
Member Profile
A huge thank you to those that understood the topic of this thread, and have already made donations directed to the baby.
Mike
For those against children at nicklesville.. What business is it of ours? by ours I mean anyone who is not the parent of those kids. These folks have kids and no place to call home. Think about that. I'm sure they would prefer running water but they don't have a choice!! But if they did they chose NV . And that is their business not ours. They are their children not ours. For all I know my next door neighbors could have their water shut off and have a new born baby. It's not my business. The same with the pets anyone can have any pet.Hopefully they take care of them but if they don't take care of them to everyones standards then what? I took my dog to the dog park when he was a puppy he'd had all his shots he was very big and some woman lectured me about his collar being too tight and where I put his water at home .... If I elevated it or not . I was completely offended because I did a ton of breed research and what she was telling me was incorrect and none of her damn business. My dog is very spoiled and happy . Long story short it's not any random blog posters decision if families should be at NV. Period. If you are so concerned offer them a bed in your house.
angelescrest
Member Profile
Beautifully, powerfully said, cc. Thank you!
If there is an ensuing conversation about housing the baby/mother--say sharing the housing/two days here, etc.--I'm up for it!
I visited the mother and child tonight.
she chose Nickelsville after exhausting all of her other options.. including Providence.
i encouraged her to call them again tomorrow.
velo_nut
Member Profile
WaIt... What does this have to do with snakes or cats?
Just an FYI about WestSide Baby - they do not provide direct services/items to clients, but rather through the 98 local social service agencies with which they partner. For immediate needs like diapers, food, formula, I suggest the WS or WC Food Banks (WS Baby partner agencies). For the clothing and other baby equipment needs, then please connect the mother with agencies such as Neighborhood House who can request items on her behalf from WestSide Baby if you do not receive enough direct donations. Here is the complete list of partners: http://www.westsidebaby.org/community-partners/community-partner-agencies
What clothing size is the baby?
Also can you clarify the "formula-blue" with a more descriptive name, like the current brand or something along those lines.
Thanks
funkie too apologies..I misunderstood :)
Gina
Member Profile
Providence Regina House might be the closest place to NV.
Contact: Paige Collins, Manager, paige.collins@providence.org,
or Javier Pina, Food Coordinator, javier.pina@providence.org,
206-763-9204. Address: 8201 10th Ave S #6, Seattle WA 98108.
Providence Regina House operates a food and clothing bank every Saturday
from 10AM – 12PM out of the South Park Neighborhood Center. All services are
free and not limited to South Park residents. Regina House also offers emergency
food, clothing and referral information during the week. The food back provides
families with a wide range of both perishable and non-perishable food items
and on a rotating basis, the following additional items are provided: 1st Saturday
of the month: Baby Cupboard (infant food, formula, diapers & clothing);
2nd Saturday of the month: cleaning and/or personal hygiene products, 3rd &
4th Saturday of the month: Toddler feeding bags.
Location of South Park Neighborhood Center:
8201 10th Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98108
miws
Member Profile
Thanks for the additional info, everyone.
nighthawk, Mom didn't give sizes, I'll try to find out later from her. Also, I'm not sure how to clarify the formula. Someone did drop one off yesterday, and I think the cap was blue.
Mike
ETA:Just did a quick Google, and nothing stood out explaining the reason behind the different baby food "colors". Perhaps the color of the cap/label distinguishes an age range for each type of formula?
linda
Member Profile
Having never before bought formula, I took the "blue" clue, examined what was on the shelves and hazarded a guess it had to do with the age range of the child. It appeared all the blue lidded formulas covered the age of this infant. Hopefully, my guess was correct and the formula was the right kind and was of use.
As for sizes, if this helps at all, currently my 22 month old wears a size 5 diaper and in clothes it ranges (depending on brand), anyway from 18 mo. clothes to 2 T, same for socks.
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