September 2022

DESC film fest, Sept. 22-23, highlights global homelessness & how to help

The Invisible Bread, a man holds up a sandwich, preparing to bit into it; a man beside him on a bench also holds his hands up, but they are empty. In a photo below, the two men face each other.

Colours, a young boy rests his arms on a wall, and rests his chin on his arms. There is a city in tihe background, and the wall is decorated with a stripe of splashes of bright colors.

IMPACT Short Film Festival Sept. 22 7 p.m. live screening at Ark Lodge Cinema, Sept. 23, 7 p.m., virtual via Zoom

You be the judge of the best films at our second annual DESC Impact Short Film Festival!

We put out a worldwide call for films and received over 1,200 entries from 100-plus countries. From that we selected our 10 finalists. Our goal is to highlight the global crisis of homelessness and the good in people as they change the lives of their neighbors who are experiencing homelessness.

This year we'll show the films twice: in person on Sept. 22, or over Zoom on Sept. 23. Both events are free, but you will need to register for them.

Live screening: at the Ark Lodge Cinema in Columbia City on Sept. 22, 7 p.m.

Identical virtual screening over Zoom the following night, Sept. 23, 7 p.m.

Each film is under 11 minutes long–short in length, but huge in impact.

Vote for those which evoke the most compassion, that best portray social justice and the film that best shows how an individual or we as a society can make an impact on homelessness and poverty. We'll tally the votes from both nights and announce the winner on Monday, Sept. 26.

Thank you to our generous sponsors: Pyramid Communications, True Benefits, Bank of America, AHT Insurance, Lotus Development and Molina Healthcare.

Gimme Shelter returns on Oct. 11! Save the date to rock out and benefit DESC

Have fun AND do good! Join DESC and The Dusty 45s on Oct. 11, 7 p.m., at the Triple Door, for the LIVE 14th annual Gimme Shelter Benefit Concert to End Homelessness. Tickets are $45. Thank you to our sponsors: Amerigroup, Walsh Construction, Lotus Development, Zillow, AHT Insurance and Enterprise Community Investment.

Buy tickets to Gimme Shelter now

A poster of a man facing a crowd, with a trumpet raised up, the bell on fire. 14th annual Gimme Shelter, A Benefit Concert to End Homelessness, DESC, we are back, The Dusty 45s, Oct. 11, 7 p.m., The Triple Door, tickets $45 @thetripledoor.com

A dresser of light wood, and a bed with a blue patterned quilt in the sunlight.

Light-colored wood shelving and cabinetry, a white stove with a black hand towel hanging on the oven handle and a sink and white counters with black dish rack. The wall is a rich gray.

New residents love homes in the quiet, appealing North Star building

Since DESC began the process in early August, new tenants have been signing leases and moving into their new homes in The North Star Permanent Supportive Housing. They love it.

The quietness, and having a place to call home, is almost unbelievable, "like a dream," a resident said. They couldn't find the words to express their gratitude at moving into a place where they only had to bring their clothes, and not worry about furniture, food or anything else. Now they can focus on reconnecting with the life of the community.

The common area, lined with windows "instead of a brick wall," is a favorite feature of the building. The residents can sit inside, looking out into the courtyard, and instead of being on the street in the hot sun, can enjoy the air conditioning along with the natural light.

If you attended our grand opening and took a tour on July 21, thank you for coming! In this video from the opening celebration, hear DESC Executive Director Daniel Malone talk about the importance of opening a new building.

We thank volunteer Tosin Arasi of TIA International Photography for the photos of volunteers below.

A woman sets up a kitchen and a woman sets up another part of an apartment.

Thank you, volunteers!

Two people work to set up a kitchen counter.

Before we welcome residents, you make their apartments welcoming.

A person straightens a coverlet on a just-made bed.

We couldn't do it without you.

The 2021 Annual Report is published online

The DESC Annual Report is published only online this year. The report features figures for the fiscal year January-December 2021, which were released in July 2022 following our annual audit. This is our report to the community about many of the important things we were able to accomplish thanks to your support.

DESC in the news this summer

8/17/22—Celebration: Small business and nonprofit awards, as chosen by KNKX donors. KNKX. DESC was honored to be nominated and listed as a nonprofit to support.
8/11/22—Announcement of coalition on expansion of behavioral health crisis services. Three people associated with DESC participated in this press conference. They were King County Sheriff and DESC board member Patti Cole-Tindall; DESC Deputy Director for Strategy Nicole Macri in her state legislator role; and DESC RN and SEIU 1199 Northwest member Naomi Morris. Here’s a video of the press conference.
7/22/22—100 permanent supportive housing units open in Bitter Lake. (The North Star).
7/21/22—Councilmember Mosqueda, Housing Providers Announce 17 Affordable Housing Projects Made Possible by JumpStart Seattle. DESC’s Union Hotel will receive funding.
7/17/22—Can a new encampment strategy get people housed permanently? Two Seattle campers find different answers.

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