Press Advisory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 12, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT: DESC Sr. Communications Manager Jessica Schreindl, jschreindl@desc.org
SEATTLE, WA — DESC invites the media, community members, partners, and supporters to the grand opening of its Downtown Behavioral Health Clinic and Opioid Recovery & Care Access (ORCA) Center, located in the heart of Seattle at 515 Third Avenue on the second floor of our Morrison building.
Themed “From Crisis to Stability: A Continuum of Care,” this special event celebrates the launch of two innovative, co-located programs that expand DESC’s person-centered approach to care for people experiencing homelessness, severe mental health challenges, and substance use disorders.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Thu, Aug 28, 2025
Grand Opening Ceremony: 11 a.m.–12 p.m. (doors open at 10:30 a.m.)
Open House Tours & Activities: 1–3 p.m.
Location: DESC Downtown Behavioral Health Clinic & ORCA Center
515 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104
RSVP: Media are invited to both the Grand Opening Ceremony and Open House; however, seating for the opening ceremony is limited. If you’d like to attend, please email DESC Sr. Communications Manager Jessica Schreindl, jschreindl@desc.org
About the Event
The grand opening ceremony will feature remarks from DESC leadership, elected officials, and community partners. During the open house, guests can tour the new facilities, explore interactive displays, meet staff, and learn more about the services now available under one roof.
This milestone honors the many people — clients, staff, donors, partners, and advocates — who have made these programs possible through their vision, commitment, and care.
What’s New: A Closer Look at DESC’s Expanded Continuum of Care
DESC Downtown Behavioral Health Clinic (moving from its current location at 216 James St.)
A welcoming, low-barrier space where DESC clients can access:
- Mental health treatment and addiction recovery
- Primary medical and nursing care
- Peer-led support via the Lew Middleton Drop-In Center and Peer PATHFinder program
- Connection to housing, benefits, and employment
- Street outreach and engagement through the HOST (Homeless Outreach Stabilization and Transition) team
- Showers, snacks, and laundry for people receiving care
ORCA (Opioid Recovery & Care Access) Center
Located within the clinic, ORCA provides urgent, compassionate care for individuals who have recently overdosed or are at high risk of an overdose:
- 24/7 post-overdose stabilization for up to eight (8) people
- Walk-in opioid use disorder treatment, available daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Access to medications for opioid use disorder like buprenorphine and methadone
- Peer support, harm reduction resources, and long-term care connections
“These new programs are a powerful step forward in DESC’s mission to meet people where they are — with dignity, respect, and evidence-based care,” said DESC Executive Director, Daniel Malone. “Together, they help move people from crisis to stability and open new pathways to health and housing.”
King County Executive Shannon Braddock, who is speaking at the grand opening ceremony, highlighted the urgent need for a resource like the ORCA Center to help address the local impacts of the opioid crisis:
“Thanks to collaboration across all levels of government to confront the opioid overdose crisis, we now have more resources and capacity to prevent overdoses, respond in real time, provide treatment, and support long-term recovery,” said Executive Braddock. “The new ORCA Center demonstrates our commitment — and action — to ensuring people can access the behavioral health care they need, when they need it.”
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, who will also be a guest speaker at the event, connected DESC’s Downtown Clinic and ORCA Center to the city’s efforts to invest in affordable housing and crisis care for people experiencing homelessness:
“The complex public health and safety challenges we see on our streets require urgent, compassionate, and innovative solutions to bring vulnerable people indoors and connect them to care and services,” said Mayor Harrell. “These new facilities will greatly complement the City’s record investments in affordable housing and efforts to help people in crisis through the citywide expansion of the CARE department’s behavioral health responders and increase access to life-saving treatment options through our Health 99 overdose response team and buprenorphine pilot. We’re proud to partner with DESC, King County, and other partners to advance this vision of a healthier, safer city for all.”
We hope you’ll join us for this celebration of progress, partnership, and healing.
RSVP: Media are invited to both the Grand Opening Ceremony and Open House; however, seating for the opening ceremony is limited. If you’d like to attend, please email DESC Sr. Communications Manager Jessica Schreindl, jschreindl@desc.org
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About DESC
DESC* is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing essential services to individuals facing homelessness in Seattle. DESC offers a range of programs, including outreach, crisis intervention, housing support, and behavioral health services, with a focus on helping the most vulnerable people achieve stability and independence.
*The legal name of the organization is the Downtown Emergency Service Center, but DESC is the preferred name.