Collaboration & Cooperation
In this picture from left to right is: Marianne Martin - CCA Homeless Liaison, Cheryl Paul - CCA Homeless Liaison, Erin Carlsen - Director of Beacon Clubhouse, Osarch Orak - Executive Director of LiFEBoat Services and Director of Filling Empty Bellies, Trista Boudon - SUD Counselor/Recovery Ally Coordinator at CBH, Brittney Roberson - CBH Recovery Ally, and Dave Hsiao - Recovery Services Program Manager at CBH
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In this picture from left to right is: Marianne Martin - CC Homeless Liaison, Cheryl Paul - CC Homeless Liaison, Erin Carlsen - Director of Beacon Clubhouse, Osarch Orak - Executive Director of LiFEBoat Services and Director of Filling Empty Bellies, Trista Bouden - SUD Counselor/Recovery Ally Coordinator at CBH, Brittney Roberson - CBH Recovery Ally, and Dave Hsiao - Recovery Services Program Manager at CBH. We work together literally EVERY day, on the ground, directly with the most under-served members of our community, to provide wrap-around services to those in need. These services include: crisis support, clinical mental health advocacy, non-clinical mental health advocacy, substance abuse counseling, peer support for those navigating addiction, employment and housing advocacy and placement, emergency rental assistance, SSI, SNAP, and OHP assistance, bus passes, showers passes and meals. This is a short list. We see, and talk, with each other every day. These advocates co-locate at LiFEBoat Services every day. We have placed, and kept, many people in housing, and off the streets, BECAUSE we work together. Please keep seeking truth before criticizing the programs, people, and organizations who are at the heart of this work. Not pictured is an advocate from The Harbor. We work frequently with the Harbor and a co-located advocate is at LiFEBoat Services every week. Seek knowledge. Speak intelligently. Your common perception of what's happening within each local organization may not be accurate because you simply don't know. The beauty of that, is that you can always learn more! Thanks for reading
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Addressing Concerns
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It is our preference to address questions, comments and concerns on our own page or in person vs. other people's pages on Facebook. One thing that has been said publicly is that our location is "unkind" to the people whom we serve because we are forcing them to be seen downtown. First and foremost, I encourage any person with this belief to actually come and speak with our participants and seek truth rather than project one's own presumptions onto an entire group of people. Secondly, we find no reason for anyone who is seeking help and basic needs to live in shame, or to hide their needs. That mentality is indicative of a culture rooted deeply in capitalism and prejudice. Perhaps if people were made to feel like humans FIRST, with less shame and fear around openly seeking help, we would see a decrease in drug and alcohol abuse and mental health crisis'.
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Pertinent FACTS
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Health’s Recovery Allies and The Harbor.
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A Few More Pertinent FACTS
A couple of years ago our participant's started being forced out of the wooded areas on the outskirts of town due to public concern. They began moving closer into town. Which brings us to the situation in which we currently find ourselves. A highly visible increasing houseless population. Then add a pandemic on top of it all, part of the reason I believe that it might seem to be all of a sudden is the fact that we were shut down for so long. Most people didn’t notice the movement of our houseless population into the downtown area because they were at home. We saw it daily since we worked right through the pandemic providing services and have stepped up to become part of the solution.
Without services including Navigation Centers (LiFEBoat Services) and Warming Centers (Astoria Warming Center), houselessness on the streets of Downtown Astoria will increase. The following two court cases are currently law. Mayor Bruce Jones, Chief Spalding, the City of Astoria and LiFEBoat Services have no choice but to work within the confines of these court decisions.
Without services including Navigation Centers (LiFEBoat Services) and Warming Centers (Astoria Warming Center), houselessness on the streets of Downtown Astoria will increase. The following two court cases are currently law. Mayor Bruce Jones, Chief Spalding, the City of Astoria and LiFEBoat Services have no choice but to work within the confines of these court decisions.
- Martin v. Boise
“The Ninth Circuit's landmark decision resolved that the Eighth Amendment prohibits cities from criminalizing the status of homelessness itself by punishing individuals for sleeping outside when they have nowhere else to go,” - Blake v. Grants Pass
Local ordinances may not prohibit camping, sitting or laying on public property and sleeping on city streets and sidewalks, when there are no shelters available and cannot impose fines.
