HELPING: Camp Second Chance residents go shoe-shopping with Fauntleroy Church assistance
(WSB photo)
We’ve reported before on Fauntleroy Church‘s support of Camp Second Chance, the city-sanctioned tiny-home encampment in southeast West Seattle. The support led to a shopping trip at Big 5 Sporting Goods in Westwood Village on Friday, which provided major discounts for church contributions to help buy shoes for camp residents. Fauntleroy Church volunteer Judy Pickens tells the story:
Picking out new shoes that fit just right is a rare luxury for people living on the edge of homelessness, but three tiny-home residents of Camp Second Chance got to do just that Friday at Big 5 Sporting Goods in Westwood Village.
The shoppers are among the 40+ people living in the sanctioned camp at 9701 Myers Way S. Managed by the Low Income Housing Institute, the camp provides a supportive bridge between the streets and long-term housing.
In 2018, Fauntleroy Church, United Church of Christ (9140 California Ave. SW), began enriching camp life with such amenities as towels, bedding, and electric blankets. During the height of the pandemic, the church also provided games to encourage socializing and art supplies for creative expression.
On Friday, donations from church members financed the first of several shopping trips to fit residents with comfortable, practical, and NEW shoes. Members of the congregation’s homelessness task force met the residents at Big 5, where staff were eager to serve them. The church gave each shopper a dollar limit, which the store extended with a discount.
More camp residents will get their turn at shoe shopping as the camp’s case manager identifies those most in need.
In our photo above are church volunteers Joan and Cathy (at left and right) with case manager Marjorie (second from left) and CSC residents.
I love this so much!
We need more “goodness” like this. Thanks for sharing, and thanks to all who contributed to make this happen.
I do too KBW. May those new shoes take them everywhere they want to go! Thank you to all involved in this great effort. I wonder if there is a way for non-church members to contribute towards some new shoes too?
I’m sure if you contacted the church they would be able to assist you with a donation. They have an office staff.
This is Bruce Gryniewski. I’m the moderator at Fauntleroy Church. Homelessness is one of our missional priorities. We’ve had a long association with Camp Second Chance. We welcome any type of support or assistance in our efforts to end homelessness. Visit our website for more information. http://www.fauntleroyucc.org. Thank you.
Fantastic! We need more stories about the successful Camp Second Chance and we need more tiny house villages just like this. Thanks Fauntleroy Church!
This is Bruce Gryniewski. I’m the Moderator at Fauntleroy Church. Addressing homelessness is one of our missional priorities. I appreciate the supportive words. If you’re interested in learning more about us or supporting our efforts please visit https://www.fauntleroyucc.org. Thank you.
Hey Bruce, my wife and I will be moving from a 2 br apt. to a 1 br during the month of July (joy joy!) and have started the purge after over 20 years in the same spot and will have a variety of items, men’s and womens clothing, odds and ends, etc. Would like to offer anything usable before the trip to Goodwill. If interested, contact me. Thanks.
The West Seattle Runner ad…😂👏🏻
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