Dedicated to the Guests of Emergency Services
They come in droves
All needing aid
We give what we have been given
It’s never enough
Our guests say “Thank you” with meaning
Not normally heard in polite society
They cry in frustration when their size is not
here
All we can do is apologize and welcome them
to return
Another time
They come in waves
All searching
For a way
to make it through the day
Through the night
We offer water and food, a blanket
We give what we have been given
- by Cat, 05 September 2007
More is coming soon, with a page dedicated to poetry which will be created in the near future. Please keep checking back - and, if you have poetry that you'd like to share about our world here at Outreach in Burnside, please submit them to web@outreachinburnside.org.
No organization stands alone. Although we work directly with mentally ill, physically disabled and addicted people who need help to live independently, that work affects many others in the community.
The Medical Community
Because we keep track of medical insurance, make medical appointments and act as a call center, doctors suffer fewer “no shows”. We support doctors by providing medical background and helping our clients understand treatment options. We store and refill prescriptions and see that they are taken as directed. Our clients go to the hospital ER only in case of emergency. And we keep advanced directives on file.
Landlords
Landlords are willing to rent apartments to the people we serve because they know they will receive rent on time. If there is a bad credit problem, we work out payment arrangements with collection agencies and see that those arrangements are kept. More importantly, landlords have someone to help mediate and resolve problems which might otherwise lead to eviction.
Social Service Agencies
We work closely with social service agencies. We problem solve together and coordinate our work. We supply verifiable financial information, making sure that appropriate benefits are available to our clients. We get referrals from the VA, Social Security offices, Cascadia, JOIN, NW Pilot Projects, and Sisters of the Road.
Commerce
Our clients are clean and well dressed, acceptable in stores and banks. We can vouch for their identity, pay for their pre-arranged purchases using our credit card, and help work through any problems that may arise.
The Community as a Whole
We all benefit because the number of homeless, mentally ill people wandering the streets is reduced. As volunteers, student groups, and nursing students work closely with the people we serve, they get practical experience with severely disabled persons within a model of compassion and respect.
What Others Say: Read a Christmas letter from a Member’s relative and testimonials from our files. We like to brag about our awards.