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The employee-owners at Lumber Traders, the parent company of Angeles Millwork, and Hartnagels believe that supporting the grassroots organizations in our local community is a huge responsibility of our companies.
For 2022 we have decided to show our support to the budding non-profit, 4PA, whose efforts have already had significant impacts in cleaning up homeless encampments in and around Port Angeles.
Our stores have donated $6,000 to assist 4PA in continuing to address the needs of both our city and its most vulnerable occupants in 2022.
What can you do to help?
4PA is asking for reoccurring pledges from community members to create a steady annual income and maintain community services. They are currently asking for $10 a month pledges with a goal of 500 total pledges. Donate today by clicking HERE.
Pledges and donations will greatly streamline 4PA’s ability to hit the ground running even while pursuing additional funding avenues, such as grants. The initial funding round will purchase the necessary cleanup equipment while building and maintaining a permanent workforce.
If you are looking to volunteer your labor or talents to 4PA please use their contact form HERE to further your commitment.
4PA’s mission has four stages of action
Cleanup – Currently ongoing, 4PA will operate a full-time crew to clean up homeless encampments and monitor these areas, so they don’t get utilized again. Currently, the main areas getting attention are in downtown Port Angeles and east towards the former Rayonier lumber mill. This work is undertaken in conjunction with volunteers, city agencies, and established relationships within the parameters of the law.
Future Plans
Temporary Shelter
The unsheltered in our community need to have a safe place to relocate. The Touchstone Campus will be just that.
Comprised of open spaces for vehicles or tents and small dwellings that offer additional amenities, this location will be a temporary place to stay with set rules and procedures while connecting people with services that can get them on the path towards a permanent solution.
Small Business Advocacy
Creating an advocacy group to give a collective voice to business owners. The group will include training on protecting property, cohesive signage to indicate areas of no trespass, resources to help offset damages, and accountability for absentee landlords who don’t maintain their property.
Expansion
At 4PA, they dream big and see a hopeful future of continual community projects. Each one adds to the infrastructure and growing economy in our town. Maybe a restaurant staffed with people who were formerly homeless? How about turning empty buildings into affordable storefronts for new small business owners? The sky is the limit when we work together!
Be sure to sign up for updates HERE!
The plans 4PA has are far from quick fixes but a commitment towards a sustainable solution!
More about the 4PA story…
It started with a simple observation several years ago when the faces of the homeless in our community began to change. Joe DeScala was used to seeing unsheltered people as he ran the local trails and public areas. He generally saw the same homeless people, and they never appeared to be setting up encampments. Sometime in 2017, he started noticing new faces on a regular basis, plus encampments and trash that before was just out of public view now encroached into visible public spaces.
What troubled Joe was the attitude that accompanied some of the newcomers. A complete disregard for their surroundings and an entitlement to do what they pleased, no matter who or what it affected.
Fast forward a few years, and homelessness took center stage in discussions as larger surrounding cities became overwhelmed. Joe realized very quickly that his observations were an indication that our small community would soon find itself in the same situation.
Joe was born and raised in Port Angeles. He loves it here, and this is where his family has put down roots. Joe has also dedicated the last 20 years to helping people as a local faith leader, coach, volunteer, and small business owner.
In 2019 Joe began asking questions and learning as much as he could on the topic of homelessness, specifically in Port Angeles. He made appointments and had many conversations with city officials, law enforcement, those in social services, and volunteers involved in encampment cleanup. As Joe began to identify people actively serving in this arena, he volunteered to observe how they interacted with the homeless. As a result, Joe fostered some excellent working relationships with people spanning several areas of this field.
It became evident to Joe that although we have people working hard to solve these problems in our city, there are some glaring blind spots. Resources are spread thin, and some of the most vital work to help mitigate the growing problem was being neglected.
It is of Joe’s opinion and the team at 4PA that cleanup efforts must be fortified and take priority. Our public spaces and parks act as a gate left wide open, inviting more people to come in.
Of course, 4PA wants those experiencing homelessness to gain housing now. However, it is 4PA’s focus to think long-term and realize a problem that has been years in the making doesn’t get fixed with a few tiny homes. Prioritizing temporary shelters before ending encampments in public spaces could do more harm in the long run. It can leave our city vulnerable to more unsheltered entering our community, and currently, we are a community that doesn’t have the infrastructure to support them. This can lead to what we are seeing now, an increase in the homeless population rather than a reduction. Temporary shelters are a part of the plan but at the appropriate time. From the experience of those involved with 4PA, this is not callous but realistic as Port Angeles has an expanding overnight shelter center available to those who want to use it.
