Last week, ten people from UUC joined the Tent City 4 Open House. Over fifty people from the larger community joined the camp residents for tours, along with a program where some residents shared their stories, and Dr. Tony Sparks spoke about his time living at Tent City 3, and his book Tent City, Seattle: Refusing Homelessness and Making a Home. The Tent City community expressed deep appreciation to Dr. Sparks for shining a light on their community, which upends stereotypes of homelessness. Through his time living at Tent City 3, and his ongoing engagement over the years with those who are unhoused, he reveals the collective, self-governing community they have created—and that many from our UUC community were able to witness during our hosting of the TC3 camp last year. 

At the TC4 Open House, Tammy, one of the campers, shared her story with a poem she wrote:

Life Outside

I'm not homeless, I'm houseless

At least that's what they say

Let me tell you

It doesn't matter

It sucks either way

It's cold in the winter

And it's hot in the sun

Don't really want to be here

But I had nowhere to run

Am I awake or am I dreaming

Trapped in a nightmare again 

I'm trying so hard

When will this end

Is there anyone out there

Anyone at all

Because the ones who should help me won't answer my call.

I am a person

I have value

A real human being

I'm standing right here

So why can't I be seen.

I'm a name on a paper

To them I'm not real

They have a home to go back to

So why should they feel

They are warm in their blankets

While I'm cold in my tent

Their blankets are cozy

While mine are soaking wet

Where is the compassion

Where is the love

I pray for relief

Pray to God up above

Dear God, I'm praying

I'm down on my knees

Soften their hearts

Help me to be seen

I'm trying so hard

But I'm going insane

Because my cries out for help have all been in vain. 

Tammy has been living with her dog in Tent City 3 for over six months, and is awaiting a hearing to appeal her Section 8 housing voucher. Last Saturday, Tammy, and the entire Tent City 3 camp, moved to a new site, at St. Mark's Espiscopal Cathedral on Capitol Hill. 

If you have any questions about UUC involvement with Tent Cities, please contact Pam Smith Mentz.

~ UUC Homelessness Ministries Research Team

(Successor to the Tent City 3 Team, working with Rev. Beth to research opportunities for UUC to continue/expand our work around homelessness)