DESC’s 20th permanent supportive housing location, Birch Grove, is named after a former client and forever friend
DESC’s newest permanent supportive housing location, Birch Grove, is named in honor of Helen Birch: a longtime DESC client, tenant, and beloved member of our community.
With a unique journey from outreach to housing, and unwavering support from DESC staff every step of the way, Helen’s story embodies the spirit of the work we do.
Remembering Helen:
Helen came to DESC through staff outreach and lived at Kerner-Scott House in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood for two years. While living there in 2006, she met Jared O’Dell, who has worked at DESC for over 20 years and now serves as a senior manager on our property development team.
“The eternally young at heart Helen Birch was a brilliant influence on many of us, showing the way people, clients, staff and community, can work together to end homelessness,” he said.
When Jared worked at the former DESC thrift store in downtown Seattle, Helen volunteered there three times a week for eight years. One of his fondest memories was in 2008 when Barack Obama won the presidential election and Helen came to the thrift store dressed to the nines, setting off fireworks to celebrate.
“[Helen was] a volunteer, a friend of those in crisis, an unabashed promoter of DESC to whomever would listen, Helen was a friend to our work,” Jared said.
Most often remembered wearing black sunglasses, smoking cigarettes, and calling coffee her “breve,” Helen was loved by many. Community volunteer Connie Huffine remembers Helen as “small but mighty.”
“When Helen came into the thrift store, we all smiled as she lit up the room,” Connie said. “I could not wait to see what funny things she would have to say.”
Helen’s former clinical support specialist, Addy Addwell, remembers Helen’s unique care plan fondly.
“I honestly don’t know how she did it — I am sure it was some combination of intelligence, persistence, and sheer will,” she said, of Helen later living offsite but continuing to receive services from the Kerner-Scott team.
Helen passed away in 2016 and still brings fond memories and smiles to DESC staff and supporters every day. Birch Grove is named after Helen’s legacy and will continue to inspire how we provide services and support to our clients.
About Birch Grove:
Birch Grove is a permanent supportive housing location in the Lake City neighborhood of Seattle. Located at 2821 NE 123rd St., Seattle, WA 98125. This affordable housing building contains 120 studio units for single adults who are living with severe and persistent mental health conditions and experiencing chronic homelessness.
Birch Grove is focused on integrated care, and has onsite case managers, behavioral health specialists, and connection to substance use disorder treatment. Learn more here.