Camp Quixote
Contact: Lee Johnson - 360-866-2972 - Website
Camp Quixote is a tent city that provides safe haven for people experiencing homelessness. The camp is a member run, democratic community that operates with the aid of a broad-based support committee known as the Panza group.
Camp Quixote was initially created to protest the new sidewalk law passed by the City of Olympia. As the street community watched their access to public space shrink, they gathered to organize and stake their claim to exist – openly and without shame.
Though the camp was born of a confrontation, its goal was full inclusion in the wider community. Moved by the courage -and the need- of the campers, the local Unitarian-Universalist Congregation stepped up and offered to host the camp. Since then, Camp Quixote has been hosted by The United Churches of Olympia, St. John’s Episcopal Church, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the First United Methodist Church.
Community Soup Kitchen
Contact: Barbara Mclean - 360-352-8659 or Bill Edmundson – 360-491-8964
Every second Tuesday of the month, a group of loyal United Church members, including some of our middle school youth, prepare and serve a hearty dinner meal for homeless and less privileged folk who visit the Salvation Army kitchen and dining facility at 5th and Plum Streets in downtown Olympia.
This outreach also involves other churches and groups and is conducted under the auspices of Catholic Community Services.
Costs for these dinners are financed through contributions from the United Churches’ congregation. Our diners are treated respectfully as our “guests” on these occasions, which provide a wonderful
opportunity for service and for conversation with these folk.
For persons who would like to participate in preparing and serving these meals or to otherwise assist in this outreach, our sign-up chart is posted on the Mission, Peace and Justice Ministry bulletin board in the church, located in the hallway leading to the Fireside Room.
Costa Rica Sister Church
Contact: Lee Johnson - 360-866-2972
In the mid-1980s, the Church was privileged to sponsor as an intern at the church a young Costa Rican, Fernando Cascante whose father at that time was pastor of a small church in San Jose, Costa Rica (the Capital city), Iglesia Divino Salvador (at Calle Blancos). Out of that initial contact, our two congregations came together in a sister church relationship. Over the years, members of each congregation have exchanged visits to the others’ church.
Members of our church have provided construction assistance as our sister church reconstructed
and enlarged its original building. Through our financial assistance, our sister church was able to engage a full-time pastor thus contributing to its growth. Although not attributable to any particular factor, the relationship between our two congregations in recent years has grown dormant.
In 2012, Both those in our congregation who were involved in developing the relationship and other interested members will, in contact with our San Jose friends, be invited to explore the prospect for a renewed and revitalized relationship between our two churches.
2012 Letter from our Sister Church
Food Bank Weekend
The first weekend of the month is staples are collected and donated to the Food Bank. Many of our members assist at the food bank in a variety of ways. Bringing food to supplement the Food Bank’s resources is always appreciated.
CROP Walk
Contact John Bowden - 360-956-9888 - Website
People from every faith tradition and walk of life are concerned about hunger. Interfaith Works co-sponsors the Thurston County CROP HUNGER WALK each year on the first Sunday of May.
Volunteer walkers raise funds for local hunger-relief organizations and to fund humanitarian projects around the world.
CROP Hunger Walk (May 6, 2012)
The 2012 CROP Hunger Walk Committee needs volunteers to help with publicity, marketing, and with registration of walkers on the day of the Walk. Call 357-7224 or 352-9703.
Volunteer needs:
- 3 committee members to help organize the walk. Annual commitment about 16 hours.
- One volunteer to solicit local corporate sponsors for the walk.
- Faith Community Recruiters recruit & organize walkers from the faith community.
- Group Recruiters – Recruiters recruit & organize walkers from various community and civic groups.
- Registration table volunteers work about 4 hours on the day of the walk.
Emergency Overflow Shelter
Contact: Steve Robb - 360-456-1944 - Website
The Emergency Overflow Shelter provides refuge for homeless women and families with children from the first Friday night of November through the last Thursday night of March. The shelter opens its doors when space at other shelters is exhausted. People in need call the Emergency Shelter Network at 528-8999.
Interfaith Works recruits member faith communities to house and staff the emergency shelter for homeless women and families for two to four week shifts. IW provides mattresses and other bedding, bus passes as needed, and employs Emergency Shelter Network to screen and refer potential clients, and provides training for volunteer shelter staff. This program, begun in 1991, provides about 500 bednights per year.
Volunteer needs:
- 3 committee members to oversee the recruiting scheduling of faith communities and to consult on special financial expenditures. Time commitment about 6 hours per year.
- One Shelter coordinator for each faith community.
- Two or more volunteer staff per night to host. (Training provided.)
Little Red Schoolhouse Project
Contact: Barbara McLean - 360-352-8695 - Website
The L
ittle Red Schoolhouse Project was formed in 1991 by local service agencies, churches, businesses to help children have the basics to return to school with pride.
Our church has supported this project and provided volunteers. In the year 2011. we served 3,100 students
with backpacks, school supplies, used clothing, dental supplies and underwear.
Caring Friends Ministry
Contact: Jim or Karen Watts -456-2526
Caring friends is a group of folks who visit members and friends of The United Churches. They visit those who are housebound and unable to attend church services, those who need to talk, or perhaps are recovering from surgery. You may participate in becoming a Caring Friend either as a couple or as an individual, or request assistance from a Caring Friend.
Meals from Heaven
Contact: Jinny Beekmann – 360-970-5188
Meals from Heaven is a group of folks who assist in providing meals for families in need of some assistance for a short period of time.
We are collecting favorite recipes that are easy to pull together to provide for a family that requests this assistance. If you have some easy recipes to share, send them along. We’d love to encourage you to help or be available to make something, sometimes with only one or two day’s notice.
Peace Crafters
Contact: Karen Watts - 360-456-2526
Peace crafters meet at TUCO every Monday from 1- 3:30 pm in room #106. This group does jewelry making, knitting, and other crafts to be sold at various times of the year. One half of the proceeds go directly to the Pastor’s fund.
SideWalk
Contact: Lee Johnson - 360-866-2972
Walk together, walk strong
SideWalk is a volunteer driven advocacy organization that aims to end homelessness through coordination of resources. We walk together, walk strong to find everyone a home. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities with SideWalk, such as assisting clients with applications for housing and other services, or becoming a client Advocate. For more information and a volunteer application, please e-mail Emma Margraf, Community Outreach Coordinator, emma@interfaith-works.org.