As we enter the seventh week of a Tacoma without its Nativity House Day Shelter, we remember that the Catholic Community Services center once provided warm food and a kitchen for clients to prepare their own meals; that it fostered and deepened connections between people served and those working to serve them; that there was a community closet for clothing to be donated and rehomed; a constant address for hundreds to receive mail - their voting information, their social security benefits, to name a few; as well as opportunities for those experiencing homelessness to be availed of existing resources by caring staffers.
We remember the Day Shelter as it was, because it is no longer present in the ways it existed for so many.
CCS leadership chose to close the Day Shelter, to upend the lives of vulnerable people - participants and employees - whom they were responsible for.
"As a neighbor and co-laborer in the vineyard of Tacoma, First United Methodist Church of Tacoma, and Common Good Tacoma lament the ways that reduced staff and program cuts have hurt the most vulnerable who are unhoused and hungry.
The public-facing ministries and resourcing that Nativity House provided to Tacoma was an anchor in an ecosystem of care and compassion. We're grateful for the decades of frontline response provided.
We come from a Wesleyan tradition that prioritizes doing no harm first, then doing the most good we can. We suggest evaluating the full impact of discontinuing these services and reducing hours, including consulting with the outreachers, faith communities and nonprofits who have absorbed the additional responsibilities of caring for hungry and unhoused neighbors,” - Shalom Agtarap, Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Tacoma and Common Good Tacoma, an initiative within FUMC that collaborates with community groups.
Catholic Community Services leadership stated the decision to close Nativity House day shelter and reduce staffing was planned and coordinated with community partners due to the uncertain federal funding landscape and there has been no change to discretionary funding support to sustain CCS programs.
However, at the Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness meeting on May 30, 2025 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBlP7Doq098 during a Q&A response (starting at 24:14), it is revealed that CCS leadership determined discretionary funding can no longer be used to support essential programming that does not generate profit, like Nativity House day center.
Tuesday’s Tacoma City Council meeting was packed with citizens voicing their concerns over the proposed extended camping ban. The number of people speaking against the extended camping ban proposal shows that there’s immense public support for those facing homelessness and empathy with them when they are threatened.
Additionally, with CCS leadership’s decision to close Nativity House Day Shelter and their redirecting justified outrage towards elected officials, CCS management has been silent about the camping ban extension and further criminalization of those without homes. Disappointingly, Tacoma citizens are standing alone in their willingness to fight to keep people without housing fed, clothed, and receiving care.
The camping ban extension proposal will reportedly be voted on by Councilmembers on Tuesday October 21 at the Tacoma Municipal Building in Council Chambers, starting at 5pm (per https://mynorthwest.com/mynorthwest-politics/tacoma-camping-ban-2/4143331).
In the spirit of supporting those experiencing homelessness, we encourage all petition signers to use public and written comments to voice opposition to the expanded camping ban. For more information, including how to attend and offer in-person or remote public comment or to submit written comments beforehand, see https://tacoma.gov/government/departments/city-council/city-council-meetings/#public-comment-city-council-meetings
We ask everyone to share the updates, as well as this petition, with your friends, family, neighbors, and community.
We stand together!