Claire Tuohy-Morgan

DESC announces STAR Center

Posted on by Claire Tuohy-Morgan
December 19, 2024
DESC key

515 Third Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
phone: 206-464-1570
fax: 206-624-4196
desc. org

Press Release 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

   Dec. 19, 2024 

MEDIA CONTACT: DESC Sr. Communications Manager Jessica Schreindl, jschreindl@desc.org

DESC’s STAR Center to Open in Downtown Seattle: Providing Pathway Out of Homelessness for Vulnerable Adults 

Seattle, WA – DESC is proud to announce its Stability Through Access and Resources (STAR) Center – a new model that will change how our community’s highest-needs population gets off the streets and into care. Scheduled to open by the end of March 2025, the STAR Center will serve as a behavioral health-focused non-congregate shelter program specifically for unsheltered adults facing significant mental health and substance use challenges. Funding for the STAR Center is being provided by the City of Seattle and King County and will be overseen by the King County Regional Homelessness Authority.

In addition to providing people shelter, the center will offer a wide range of services to help individuals meet their physical and mental health needs while assisting them in navigating a pathway to permanent housing.   

Continue reading “DESC announces STAR Center”

DESC launching innovative, coordinated care on Third Avenue, new facilities opening in 2025

Posted on by Claire Tuohy-Morgan
December 19, 2024
A woman listens and rests has her left hand on the wrist of another woman, who has her left arm raised to her face.
DESC staff will provide care 24/7 in our new facilities.

People experiencing long-term homelessness are often living with disabling conditions like severe mental health challenges, chronic pain, and substance use disorders. To address people’s complex needs and end homelessness, we need comprehensive, coordinated care that meets people where they are.  

That’s why DESC is proud to be opening three new resources on Third Avenue in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood in 2025. These efforts will help people in crisis, connect them to care, and provide a pathway off the streets and into permanent housing. They will also improve conditions on Third Avenue and promote public safety. 

Continue reading “DESC launching innovative, coordinated care on Third Avenue, new facilities opening in 2025”

Challenging misconceptions about homelessness and substance use

Posted on by Claire Tuohy-Morgan
November 22, 2024

When you encounter someone on the street experiencing homelessness or hear about an individual overdosing in the city, do you perceive them negatively? In this video, DESC Opioid Treatment Network (OTN) Nurse Supervisor Jeremy Hoog challenges misconceptions about those experiencing homelessness or struggling with substance use disorders. Jeremy was one of a panel of experts who recently spoke about substance use and harm reduction at DESC’s event, “Mission Possible: Adaptive Solutions to Homelessness.” Other panelists included DESC Executive Director Daniel Malone; Co-Director Harm Reduction Research & Treatment (HaRRT) Center, UW, Seema L. Clifasefi PhD, MSW; DESC Deputy Director for Strategy Nicole Macri; and Director of King County Department of Community and Human Services Kelly Rier.

You made GIMME SHELTER 2024 fun &  successful!

Posted on by Claire Tuohy-Morgan
November 13, 2024

Nearly 200 people danced, sang and listened as Gimme Shelter 2024 raised about $200,000 in donations to support DESC’s work, surpassing expectations.

Held again this year at the Century Ballroom, the event featured Billy Joe Huels and The Dusty 45s, with DESC’s Director of the Office for Organizational Equity Rhonda Banchero and Workplace Giving Specialist Steven Dillon co-hosting. Our pre-concert preview, “Mission Possible,” featured a panel of experts on homelessness and harm reduction.

Thank you to our corporate sponsors: Lotus Development Partners, Windemere Mt Baker, Foster Garvey, Heritage Bank, Absher Construction Co., Wellpoint (previously Amerigroup), Bank of America, Key Bank, Plymouth Housing, SMR Architects, Arela Group (Formerly TRUEbenefits), Walsh Construction, Zillow Group, Enterprise Community Partners, the Brettler Family Foundation and UW Medicine.