Greetings friends,
I hope that 2022 is off to a great start for you and yours. We are excited about the new year and continuing to provide a place of shelter and support for adults without homes until they can regain housing. Your generosity with meals, supplies, financial gifts, and other support means so much. Because of you, residents have a safe and supportive place to stay and take the next steps forward in life. Thank you!!
Need Help with the Next Move: Camp Unity’s next move will start on Wednesday, February 16th and continue through Saturday, February 19. We are grateful to St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church for being the camp’s next host and to Bear Creek United Methodist Church for hosting Camp Unity since mid-October.
We need a lot of help, especially with the actual move. Please email Lori Peckol peckolvanwormer@gmail.com if you can help in either of the ways below. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered so far!
-Move Activities: We need help with the actual move on 2/16 (9 am to about 1 pm), 2/17, 2/18 and 2/19 (start time in the morning to be determined)
-Meals: Help is needed with lunches (2/17, 2/18, and potentially 2/16) and potentially a breakfast on 2/17
Thank you very much for any assistance you can provide!
Welcome Sarah! We’re thrilled that Sarah Okawa Ellerbrock エレブロック沙良 has joined the Camp Unity Eastside Board of Directors. She and her family have been supporters of CUE for some time. She wants to do more to assist people in need and help Camp Unity to expand partnerships with other organizations.
Sarah is working on her Masters in Global Business Administration, Tufts University. She is also a board member of the Japan-America Society of the State of Washington; she volunteers for a Japanese children’s home; and she co-founded the U.S. Embassy Community Action Program to serve people in need and support public diplomacy efforts. Sarah’s personal, professional, and volunteer experience are a great addition to the Camp Unity Board. Thank you Sarah!
Michael Grimm: Michael served with Camp Unity for more than a decade, many years as President of the Camp Unity Board. He stepped down from this position in late 2021. He advocated and worked many years on behalf of Camp Unity Eastside and he is now facing a personal challenge with cancer.
Michael has worked in construction and is used to working hard, but this disease and the treatments are significantly impacting his ability to work. We are sharing Michael’s personal Go Fund Me opportunity https://gofund.me/f411de3f to help him and his family with your prayers and financial gift. All donations will go towards medical expenses, bills, utilities, gas for all upcoming hospital appointments, and food.
Housing Update and Shelter Capacity: We are continuing to work together with area local governments and other partners, to help Camp Unity residents pursue housing through the Emergency Housing Voucher Program. We are thrilled that so far, several residents have secured an apartment through this program and plan to move shortly. Please contact Lori Peckol at peckolvanwormer@gmail.com for more information and to volunteer to help support this effort.
Camp Unity has the capacity to shelter more people who need a safe place to stay and regain stability. The camp provides essential services for men and women age 18+ who comply with CUE’s code of conduct and operations, including no drugs (including marijuana), alcohol, or weapons. If you are aware of someone in need who might be a good fit or if you can help spread the word, we would love your help. CUE’s website includes more information, a flyer, and the intake process: https://campunityeastside.com/new-campers/.
Your Support: A huge thank you to everyone who has helped Camp Unity! So far this year, volunteers have signed up on the meal calendar for every day in January and February. That helps the residents so much! There are openings on Camp Unity’s meal calendar starting in March. If you can help, please sign up at https://campunityeastside.com/meals-2/meal-calendar/. There are currently 14 residents at Camp Unity.
You have also generously helped Camp Unity with financial gifts and by providing supply needs. We are so thankful for your support. You are truly making a difference in people’s lives.
With gratitude,
Lori Peckol
Friends of Camp Unity Eastside