Our thanks to Commissioners Clyde Church and Gwen Lachelt, who voted to allow our continued use of Purple Cliffs. Thank you to NINA, CCO, The Vineyard Church and other supporters who made it possible for us to have a safe location to shelter and stabilize our lives.
We are working together as a community to create a safe and self-governed camp with peer management and these rules:
1. No hoarding or littering.
2. No fires out of season.
3. No unattended minors.
4. No stealing.
5. No sneaking about in other people’s camps.
6. No savage animals.
7. No sexually pervasive behavior.
8. Treat others with the same respect you expect for yourself.
9. No violent behavior.
We try to establish that no members want for any basic human needs. A council of five campers is being established to mediate problem campers and make executive decisions. We have established a community kitchen, a shower, two community tents and a bicycle kiosk. A second shower is planned.
We performed fire mitigation and organized routine cleanups of the hillside. Currently, we receive donations from Manna soup kitchen, the food bank, Saint Columba and CJ’s Diner.
With community support, we hope to continue to receive consent to use the Purple Cliffs camp. We hope the county and city will soon identify a suitable new site – equal to or better than Purple Cliffs – for most of the unsheltered community, including people with disabilities.
Our thanks and gratitude for your continued support and prayers,
Your friends and neighbors in need
