what we do

Meet Homeless Folks where they are/Establish advocatee relationship

Connect with case management

Work with case management to help ensure these folks are getting the support they need

what does that mean?

With the help of volunteers and in conjunction with other Seattle non-profits, we identify camps that are in need or in jeopardy of being swept. With consistent interaction and outreach, we work to build relationships with those in the camps; gathering names, needs, and interest in housing.

Through partnership with outreach service providers, we help connect folks with the people (often city resources) who can assist in securing transitional housing. **Greenlake Homeless Advocates does not have the ability to place folks in transitional housing.

Once an advocatee is in transtional housing, you - as their advocate - frequently connect with their case manager ensuring the advocatee is receiving the help they need. This can mean aiding in their ID renewal process, providing them with the resources to get a phone, helping with the permanent housing research, etc. Sometimes, it just means being a consistent face.

what’s a day in the life of an advocate?

As with everything in life, most day look different. I, Bruce, spend an hour a day at any active camp we are working with. I visit Tiny Home Villages, shelters, and any other place we have advocatees. I meet with volunteers, community members, and city employees. Some volunteers commit a similar amount of time, though 1hr/wk is what we ask; this allows you to meet with your advocatee 1:1 and/or sit in on case manager meetings.

What does establishing an advocate relationship look like? How do I start? 

It can be with someone you notice on the street or meet in an organized situation including at food banks, church sponsored "feeds"  happening throughout Seattle, libraries, etc. A few advocates have found people in need on park benches, alongside tents, etc. 

1. Greeting. 

• Start with a simple smile and perhaps a "hello" or "good to see you." Make eye contact. Acknowledge their presence. So often people on the street are ignored. They know they often make people uncomfortable. 

  2. Ask how they are doing, how they are managing? 

•  It might only be talking about the program you meet at. It might mean asking them how long they have been in Seattle, how they are "making it" here. Keep it to the now until you, as a person living a different life than theirs, makes them realize you are not probing but instead are trying to understand their circumstances so you might help. Stay tuned. Be empathetic. Do not suggest solutions. Their lives are often very complicated by substance abuse, family, traumas we don't yet know, etc. Just listen. This might take a few meetings to build trust. 

  3. Offer Assistance. This is when you might become an advocate. 

• This might take one meetup when someone knows and wants immediate help or it might take weeks for them to overcome the embarrassment or disclosure about their lives. Important: agree on a good time to meet at least once a week to keep contact. GHA provides a simple form to fill out, asking them if they can work on their behalf.  Ask if they have a contact number. Give them yours. 

• This is where you will need some information. Be equipped with a small plan of where you can find help.  It might mean getting them to the Ballard Food Bank to get them into the system for housing, IDs , medical help, etc. It is there they should find a case worker. It might be explaining how to get an Orca card for transportation. It might mean knowing where meals or safe places like libraries are.  Ask them about their housing and if they have met previously with a social worker/case worker or are on any lists for housing. Have your cell phone ready. 

  4. Follow the 9 Commandments listed on the GHA website. 

• As advocates we want to build a relationship where we can use the small power we have to help your advocatee navigate the system. It might mean only getting off the street and into some community connections. Then, into programs: mental health, sobriety, spiritual, even eventually job training. Who knows. Each person is an individual with a complicated past. We want to do what we can, but following guidelines. 

• Connection and building trust are the first steps you can make with your advocate.