Category: Uncategorized
A discussion with Unsheltered Utah Executive Director Wendy Garvin and Board Chair Christine Stenquist about our current organizational and community needs
Feb. 19, 2021 — Truthfully, I thought that community organizations supporting the unsheltered population had gained the attention of civic leaders on the issue of homelessness within Salt Lake City limits. The City Council seemed genuinely responsive during public input periods of virtual council meetings. Abatements were being called out as cruel non-solutions. Discussions on building tiny homes were being pushed forward and genuine lifesaving options for permanent housing seemed to be a priority.
But, then the abatements continued, in spite of three consecutive days of forecasted winter storms, large camps were cleared.
Folks were pushed down the road, to set up on another block. There is nowhere near enough availability or considerations for couples and family members who are unwilling to separate from their partners due to safety concerns. There are many valid reasons that people are shelter avoidant, personal safety being a major one. Considering that we’re nearly a year deep into a pandemic communal living isn’t an ideal situation. Many folks feel safer on the street than in the systems designed to aid them.
The office of Mayor Mendenhall proudly announced a dashboard on SLC.gov where those who were most motivated to seek information could access the numbers of vacancies for the previous night in the available shelter options. These numbers weren’t updated on the first weekend during those storms. The bitter cold remains, and unshockingly the site declares just how few options there are for the unsheltered people of Salt Lake City. Thursday, Feb. 18, the highest availability was a 5% occupancy open at the men’s center, that’s 15 beds. The other two shelters have 1% occupancy available and the overflow was at 2% over capacity.
With this public knowledge, now would be a perfectly tone deaf time to implement the most rudimentary of aggressive architecture, right? Installing ugly jagged landscaping rocks all along the easement on the corner near the Geraldine E. King’s Women’s Center. Sure, the landscaping was paid for by the owner of the condemned property, but it is a literally and figuratively ugly addition to a hostile environment toward unsheltered people.
When community activism is at a high, and viable, sustainable projects which could provide long-term housing solutions with minimal investment are on the table, this is not the time for taunting people who are literally just trying to survive a brutal winter.
If it’s easy to ignore the problem, then you’re not close enough to the issue.
February 9, 2021 — We, at Unsheltered Utah, are aware of an active GoFundMe effort to support a tiny home village, launched under tragic circumstances. While we wholeheartedly agree that tiny homes can be a cost-effective solution, Unsheltered Utah is working within the framework of our non-profit’s legal standards and expectations for accepting donations and partnering with governmental entities in pursuit of a sustainable, permanent housing community which will allow for employment, professional skill-building and a sense of belonging as our friends proceed through a stepped transitional process to fully independent living.
We admire the support of such endeavors and hope that we will earn your support when we release our eco friendly, sustainable living plan.
We know there are many activist groups in the arena, so to speak, and will never expect exclusivity of our volunteers or supporters because we hope there is a space for all who do the work to help the unsheltered people of Utah.
However, Unsheltered Utah is in process with a separate proposal, being discussed with government entities, major donors and social service programs.
We have committed to running our organization with accountability and transparency for our donors.
We, as an organization, do not endorse any other proposal and do not want any confusion as to our involvement with other organizer’s efforts. For that reason will be removing GoFundMe links from this group.
#UnshelteredUtah
#WeRiseByLiftingOthers
#CurbsideCompassion
https://www.facebook.com/FirstMonthName/videos/10158096929678763/
Jan. 22, 2021 — As this effort to keep the unsheltered members of our communities safe, warm and connected with valuable resources; it has become important to formalize an organization that complies with legal expectations, as we rely largely on the public for donations of both goods and financial support.
There have been several smaller groupings working together as a collective unit, as of today there will be a formal separation of Unsheltered Utah from any other groups. We will soon formalize as a non-profit organization, as such we will keep an accurate and current accounting of donations and comply with all legal expectations for transparency.
We have developed many outstanding relationships that we value greatly and understand that ultimately we have the same shared goal: to keep our unsheltered friends thriving. As we move forward, we are happy to coordinate efforts with supply drives and volunteers, we support each individual’s choice to advocate in the way that feels best for them with whatever group or groups they choose, and we hope that everyone will continue their boots on the ground efforts to help others.
As Unsheltered Utah, we are particularly mindful of the potential for spread of COVID-19, and will implement CDC guidelines to protect the most vulnerable.
Growing pains can be difficult, and we cannot express our gratitude for all of those who have joined in our shared efforts so far, it has been a tremendously humbling bonding experience. We value each and every one of you who have come out to help. We adore seeing familiar faces as we work together each week. We know that ultimately there are many ways to reach a shared goal and vision. It is important that our path toward the goal of helping our unsheltered friends transition to stable living and working conditions clearly aligns with our mission.
Our vision is clear, our hearts are open and we will move forward in a spirit of generosity and respect. We will rise up by lifting others and we hope you will join us as we continue to make a difference! #unshelteredutah