The purpose of Trinity UMC’s Safe Parking Program is to provide temporary shelter for people experiencing homelessness. Our objective is to address challenges faced by those living in cars, such as parking regulations and lack of access to resources like restrooms. While the goal is permanent housing, the safe parking area will provide temporary safety and connection to human and social services. It will provide a paved parking area, garbage receptacles, Sani-can and portable wash station.
History
In May 2024, members of the TUMC Missions Team met with Sharon Maggard from Serenity and Christine Dunn from Clallam County Health and Human Services. The Team asked how the Church with limited resources could best serve the unhoused population in Clallam County. Both Sharon and Christine suggested Safe Parking as a needed service in the county. For years the County and Clallam County Homelessness Task Force had unsuccessfully tried to get an entity in the faith community to develop a Safe Parking Program. After considerable research and discernment, the Church decided to pursue the challenge. In the Spring of 2025, Clallam County awarded the Church a two year grant to help fund the effort.
From the outset, the TUMC Safe Parking Program was considered an extension of the Warming Center at St Luke’s Church in Sequim. OlyCap manages both programs and the Churches provide the space and other essentials. Regarding the TUMC Safe Parking program, the Church provides volunteers and security. Over 80% of the grant from the County is for security.
Partnering Agencies
- Peninsula Behavioral Health
- Serenity House
- REdisCOVERY/ Olympic Peninsula Community Clinic
- OLYCAP (Olympic Community Action Programs)
- Goodman’s – providing the Sani-can
The Safe Parking Program
- A safe place for people to park overnight
- 3 to 5 vehicles (NO tents, campers or motor homes)
- Guests will be from the most vulnerable population.
- Hours: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. (Guests will not stay in the designated parking area during the day.)
- Duration: 3 months with the possibility of renewing for another 3 months, depending on circumstances.
Requirements for Participants
- Candidates will be screened by OLYCAP, Peninsula Behavioral Health or Rediscovery.
- Candidates must have a case worker.
- Candidate must agree to have and pass a background check.
- Candidate must have a working vehicle and proof of auto insurance.
- Candidate must sign and follow the Services, Rights and Responsibilities.
Security
- The church has daylight control security cameras, motion sensor lights, access for egress for emergency service.
- In teams of 2, a volunteer and an OLYCAP paid staff will be on site for the first and last hours.
- Self –security
- We intend to hire our security company to do a random drive though each night.
- When the Sequim Police Department patrols Carrie Blake Park, they also will visually check the Safe Parking area.
- A placard listing the emergency protocols will be posted.
- In the event that a guest needs to have immediate care / shelter, the guest would be moved into the church building.
Future
In a perfect world, there would be no need for a Safe Parking Program and it would be discontinued. It is more likely, however, that the need will increase. In that case, other churches will be encouraged to set up other Safe Parking Programs. If that doesn’t happen, TUMC would expand the current site to add additional spaces. If that is not sufficient, the Church would pave an additional area. This expense would be paid for by the Church and not the County.