Shoreline Covenant tent sleep-over supports homeless women and children

When you see the tents on N 185th Friday
stop and make a donation

The women of Shoreline Covenant Church are sleeping in tents on Friday in their parking lot at N 185th and Ashworth and taking donations to raise money for Jacob's Well, transitional housing being built in Shoreline for homeless women and children. This is the first year the weather has been warm and dry for the sleep-over.

One of the participants wrote a reflection on what the experience meant to her, which follows.

This year's "Sleep Out" will be Friday, September 21st at Shoreline Covenant Church. To make a donation or pledge please contact Pastor Erika Haub: 206-542-1050.

By Karen Nicholson, 5th grade teacher at Echo Lake Elementary School, Shoreline resident, and member of Shoreline Covenant Church

The women of my church recently planned an overnight fundraiser to raise money in support of Jacob's Well, a Vision House transitional housing project for women and children here in Shoreline. Women will “sleep out” in tents in the parking lot of Shoreline Covenant Church on September 21, raising pledge money from co-workers, neighbors, and friends to help pay for the interior paint (a $25,000 expense) needed to complete the Jacob’s Well complex here in Shoreline.

Without thought I found myself agreeing to spend a September Friday night sleeping in a parking lot in Shoreline, and asking friends and family to sponsor me for this event. As a teacher, I usually avoid commitments any weekend in September. As a middle-aged woman I find myself avoiding tent sleeping more than I once did. I had to remind myself why my impulse was to agree to both.

Below is a note I wrote to thank my supporters when I participated in the first overnight event two years ago. It is why I am asking for their support again this year.

"I am now home from my night of tenting in a parking lot to raise money and awareness for the plight of homeless women and children, and to raise money for "Jacob's Well," a transitional housing facility in Shoreline for women in need (AKA shelter.) It was a great night with lots of laughter, a fire pit and friends.

"As we sat around the fire it struck me how different it would be if I were having to do this on my own. There wouldn't be friends to keep me company, a fire for warmth or for comfort, and laughter would be in short supply. As I settled down in my nice Coleman dome tent, which friends help me raise, on my deluxe Aerobed, inflated with electricity from the church, in my down sleeping bag, I was once again moved by how different this really was from a woman who had no choice. I knew those around me, I had permission to be there, the police knew what we were doing and who we were, and we had men who had volunteered to patrol all night, insuring our safety while we slept.

"Urban camping is a lot different than being out "in nature." There were the sounds of cars and people and it was hard to tune everything out .... even when I was exhausted from a long week at school, and had the aid of Tylenol PM! I read with light from my battery powered lantern until my eyes crossed. When sleep still escaped me, I put in my ipod earbuds and was lulled to sleep by Carole King. Once again (do you see a pattern here,) I needed the help of things that wouldn't be available if I were a woman in true need.

"This morning I woke up with an ability to go into the church to use the bathroom. I washed my face with warm water and brushed my teeth. I was greeted by volunteers who directed me straight to the coffee pot, once again in the company of many friendly faces. We were fed breakfast better than anything served at my house, any morning!

'While I felt like I had "roughed it" last night, it was a small, diluted taste of what I would have faced if things in my life had taken a different turn at dozens of junctures. The phrase "there but for the grace of God" has never been more apparent to me.'

"In my classroom we talk a lot about being giraffes -- people who "stick our necks out for other people." I am blessed by so many giraffes in my life! Thanks again!"