Camp United We Stand

If you could help one person get off the cold streets and into a warm tent in a legally sanctioned encampment, would you do so? A legally-sanctioned encampment is hosted by a church or other organization on their property. It is not tents on the side of the road or on the freeway – it is a community. 

We work with our unhoused neighbors every day. Camp United We Stand (CUWS) is a legally sanctioned homeless encampment with permits from the cities and churches that shelter us. We are a federal 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and are registered with the Washington State Secretary of State’s Office as a state non-profit organization. The camp is hosted by several churches in North King County (Seattle, Shoreline, Kenmore, Kirkland) for 3 to 6 months at a time.  

CUWS is a self-managed camp with a strict code of conduct. We run background checks on everyone, barring entry to sex offenders and those with outstanding warrants. We do not allow alcohol or drug use, or weapons. Bullying and harassment are not tolerated.  Respect and civility toward other residents are required. Residents are required to pay a small maintenance fee each month to help with basic expenses.

While our volunteer board finds the sites and resources and assists residents when needed, the residents mostly run the camp.  They make and enforce rules of conduct, take turns at the security tent, manage the kitchen, donations, supplies, and trash, and support each other in their efforts to find housing, jobs, and services they need. We do manage to help many residents find better accommodations and even permanent housing, but our focus is on making life better now.  

One recent resident was Ariana.  Ariana had to escape her home because of escalating abuse by her partner.  While living on the cold streets, she heard about a small tent city called Camp United We Stand.  Residents pay $50 a month to help fund the camp. They have the use of a tent, cot and blankets, port-a-potties, a kitchen with refrigerators and donated food, and a community that accepts them. It is a place where Ariana knew she could live while she recovered from her difficult experience and looked for a job.

It costs around $555 to outfit a new resident, and the materials wear out with constant use, so we regularly must replace a lot of things. The breakdown costs are as follows: Platform made of wood $90, tent $110, sturdy tarp $60, cot with pad $75, sleeping bag $75, propane heater $100, heater hose $25, first tank of propane $20. We also buy big tents for the kitchen, donations, security, community hangout, and storage. We buy a lot of food and supplies to run the camp and keep people healthy. 

If you can support the items needed by one resident, or one piece of the puzzle, we thank you. Homelessness is such a big problem that it seems daunting to try to address it. While we wait and advocate for the better and bigger solution of housing, we are working on meeting the needs of one resident at a time and one need at a time. We see the difference each bit of help can make in someone's life.

Although we have received a few small grants, we rely largely on donations from individuals and local organizations such as Rotary clubs and churches. Our camp thrives on the generosity of people like you who care and want to help. If you can support the basic needs of one camper or even fund one small item they need, we thank you for your generosity.

If you want to donate in other ways or at another time, send a check or money order to our mailing address:

Camp United We Stand, c/o Richmond Beach Congregational Church-UCC, 1512 NW 195th St., Shoreline, WA 98177

Or visit our website: CAMP UNITED WE STAND - TENT CITY and click Donate.   https://www.campunitedwestand-tentcity.org

THANK YOU!