As the world leader in volunteerism we feel a responsibility to unite our broader community, and to use this moment to become stronger.
See below to participate in our Impact Sector survey, access our COVID-19 Resource Hub, and explore our growing directory of COVID-19-specific and virtual volunteering opportunities.
DESC is looking for weekday/weekend volunteers to help sort through donations that benefit our DESC clients and our Pioneer Thrift Store. All proceeds from our store go directly to support our programs to end homelessness. https://www.facebook.com/PioneerThriftUrbanFashionRecycling
Large donations are delivered 3 days a week to our donations processing center, located in our Rainier House building in Columbia City, where you will be sorting. Your responsibilities would include identifying top quality (and fashion-forward) merchandise from donations, sorting said donations for use by thrift store and our shelter programs, and helping move items within the agency. Ability to lift 15 lbs and commit to a weekly shift a plus. This is a great opportunity to serve your community while having a blast doing it!
About DESC - Housing and Health to End Homelessness
Location:
515 3RD AVE, SEATTLE, WA 98104, US
Mission Statement
The Downtown Emergency Service Center works to end the homelessness of vulnerable people, particularly those living with serious mental or addictive illnesses. Through partnerships and an integrated array of comprehensive services, treatment and housing, we give people the opportunity to reach their highest potential. At DESC, uncommon efforts produce uncommon results that eliminate homelessness, one person at a time.
Description
DESC is the largest multi-service agency serving homeless adults in the Puget Sound region, reaching over 9,000 people annually and providing state licensed mental health and chemical dependency treatment, 279 emergency shelter beds, and over 1600 units of permanent, supportive housing. DESC also addresses a larger community need: our services decrease the financial burden on taxpayers by minimizing the utilization of emergency rooms, jails, courts, police, psychiatric hospitals and other highly expensive resources. At the same time, we are improving the quality of life for those who live, work and do business here.
DESC succeeds where others have failed. Stretching the bounds of accepted practices, DESC's professional staff have learned that creative, assertive and holistic approaches, including evidence based and emerging best practices, work best for our highly vulnerable and difficult-to-engage clientele. Many men and women who have a long history of homelessness also have tenuous if any ties to the mainstream community and lack natural support networks such as family members. By eliminating outdated barriers to services and housing, DESC has received national recognition for its work with chronically homeless adults with behavioral health disorders.
Our staff and Board of Directors remain committed to serving those adults in our community who are most disabled and most vulnerable - and most often forgotten or ignored by society. We believe there is no such thing as a throw-away person.
