Re: there is a health issue at Nickelsville

#786364

DBP
Member

Talaki I agree with what you say about homeless people needing to get together with someone so their needs can be sorted out and a recovery/housing plan can be worked out.

In fact, many people at Nickelsville have worked hard, taken advantage of City services and have gotten out of there. Some months ago I interviewed a couple who did just that and posted it here on the Blog. From the interview, it’s clear what a long and difficult process recovery can be . . .

https://westseattleblog.com/forum/topic/homeward-bound

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If the City was running Nickelsville, or had an official presence there, they could do a much better job of facilitating people getting the services they need. However, since the City has no presence there, and since lately the City seems to be feuding with the camp “authorities” more than talking with them, it appears that Nickelsville is really not the best place for homeless people to get connected with the help they need.

In fact, I worry that there are some people there who WANT help but are actually PREVENTED from getting it by people in charge of the camp. Some months ago, one of the super-helpers related to me details of how the camp authorities actually intimidate campers into NOT seeking outside help. At first I thought that was just camp gossip, but now I believe her . . .

So, in that sense Nickelsville, as it is currently being managed, is not helping people. It is actually holding them back.