As we prepare to say goodbye to our Tent City 3 (TC3) neighbors, the UUC Tent City 3 Team is looking at options for how we might build on our hosting experience to expand our involvement with addressing homelessness. We have already identified several opportunities, through:

• St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, the next host of TC3;
• our existing community partner, Teen Feed; and
• Facing Homelessness, the organization founded by Rex Hohlbein (who was our Fleagle Lecturer last February).

We are eager to hear from the UUC community which of the above might resonate with you.

This week, we'll share more information about the St. Mark's and Teen Feed opportunities. Next week, we'll describe several possibilities with Facing Homelessness.

Sunday Dinners at St. Mark's

St. Mark's will be hosting community dinners on Sunday nights throughout TC3's stay with them, June 17 through September 9. They invite neighbors and TC3 supporters from other congregations to also participate. You can sign up to help cook and serve Sunday night dinner on specific dates. Shift hours are flexible and vary based upon the volunteer task, but they start as early as 3 p.m., the dinners are served at 6 p.m., and the work wraps up by 7:30 p.m. Families are welcome to come help.

If you would like to stay connected to TC3, providing food for St. Mark's Sunday dinners would be a great way to do so. To join the volunteer list for these dinners, or ask questions, contact Deborah Person at St. Mark’s.

Teen Feed

You can volunteer weekly as a Meal Advocate. Advocates provide a consistent presence by volunteering one night each week to build connections with the teens. They welcome teens as they arrive, join them at the meal and build trusting relationships. Advocates volunteer 2–2.5 hours each week during the mealtime. They receive training about community resources and have the opportunity to shadow an experienced advocate as they get started. UUC volunteers in this capacity have enjoyed this role.

This might be a particularly good role for young adults, getting proximate to the youth who come to the Teen Feeds and building relationships.

For more information, please contact Pam Smith Mentz, who coordinates UUC’s Teen Feed Meal Team.

From UUC's Tent City 3 Team (UUCHomelessness@gmail.com)