In an unforgotten corner of Vancouver Washington, sits the Share Men's House Shelter.  Take a walk down 13th, round the block and back up 11th St. and you will be baffled by the number of people and the size of the encampments that many in this City  don't even know exist. 

On the corner of Jefferson & 11th, there are three disgusting Honey Buckets that the city has refused to dump.  

While I understand that the City of Vancouver is frustrated with repeatedly discovering garbage, clothing, etc stuffed in the porta potties, I am even more devastated for the individuals who are being neglected and refused one of their most basic Human Rights for SAFE & SANITARY LIVING CONDITIONS.  

These people are already living in squalor, in conditions they would have otherwise NEVER chosen for themselves, and now they have to resort to defecating or urinating in bags, bottles, old clothing, th side of the streets, or on themselves, because of one or two individuals who simply do not care about themselves, their fellow human, the community they live in or the things they've been given to help ease the discomfort of being displaced.

At the end of the day, it's the result of Trauma.

Trauma begets trauma and so on..

As if their dignity hasn't already been all but torn away from them, they now have to walk many blocks in hopes of having access to a restroom that is available after 6pm, where they are usually denied for simply being homeless & dirty. 

My concern is not only for the Humans who have found themselves in these unfortunate circumstances, it is for our Environment as well. 

We already know that infectious diseases & bloodborne illnesses are more prevalent amongst the houseless communities, especially when needle sharing, sex-trade and UNSANITARY LIVING CONDITIONS are a part of the mix.  MANY individuals in the houseless community DO NOT CHOOSE THIS however, it is the unfortunate reality some of these human beings are faced with in order to survive.

In order for the PEOPLE of the City of Vancouver to come up with a solution, they must first acknowledge that they are contributing to the problem.  

The PEOPLE of Vancouver, usually contribute donations by means of THINGS or money to buy more THINGS to replace what gets lost, damaged or destroyed along the way.  However, these things continue to accumulate in the encampments and unfortunately wind up getting stuffed down porta potties. 

Do you see the cycle?

Climate change. 

If you care about the environment, then you'll prove it by how you care about the People. Houseless or not. 

Dumpsters are overflowing.  Blood, urine & fecal matter contaminates our soil & our storm drains(which is where they've been instructed to dump btw).  Rodents have found new homes amongst the homeless.

If the PEOPLE of the City of Vancouver Washington do not come together to address this issue, we will be consumed by an already out of control problem. I am asking that the PEOPLE of Vancouver Washington, AND PORTLAND OREGON FOR THAT MATTER..

Do their part. Show up.  Encourage your fellow Human. Use your connections to make better connections for the lowly, the forgotten, the unseen. Those Humans who are still just as Human as you and me. 

One thing I've discovered along this journey is that these human beings don't really want or need your things. They need your time. Your compassion. Your acknowledgement. Your willingness to have conversations that lead to healing. 

 

They still deserve their dignity.

I have the vision. 

I just don't have the money. 

 

On Behalf of the Houseless Human Beings of the United States of America who STILL matter,

I ask that the PEOPLE of the City of Vancouver Washington help replace, provide & maintain SAFE AND SANITARY restroom & showering facilities for the Houseless communities of Clark County Washington. 

 

Respectfully,

Amanda Lee Sheppard